Washington Nationals’ New Pitchers Share Their Send-Off Stories

On August 12, 2026, four new pitchers joined the Washington Nationals. Each of them had unique experiences as they prepared to leave their previous teams.

Connelly Early was about to retire for the night when he received the life-changing news.

Yovanny Cruz had just left Wrigley Field following a game. He had celebrated a double play that closed the seventh inning, marking a memorable moment.

Meanwhile, Jake Bird was pitching the ninth inning for the Scranton RailRiders. He was in Des Moines at the time, unaware of the opportunities about to come his way.

Will Dion found himself on a bus traveling from Columbus to Syracuse, reflecting on the path ahead.

“Leaving friends and teammates behind is tough, but the excitement of joining the Nationals adds a sense of anticipation,” remarked one of the players.

The experiences of these players illustrate the varied journeys athletes undertake when transitioning to new teams. Their stories provide insight into the personal side of professional baseball trades.