The Washington Nationals announced their 2025 Opening Day roster and corresponding moves on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Of the 26 players, eight are participating in Opening Day for the first time in their careers, including 2023 first-round Draft pick Dylan Crews; Montgomery County, Md., native James Wood; and Gold Glove finalist Jacob Young.
Starters (5)
LHP MacKenzie Gore
RHP Jake Irvin
LHP Mitchell Parker*
RHP Michael Soroka
RHP Trevor Williams
Relievers (8)
LHP Jose A. Ferrer*
RHP Kyle Finnegan
RHP Jorge López
RHP Brad Lord*
LHP Colin Poche
RHP Orlando Ribalta*
RHP Eduardo Salazar*
RHP Lucas Sims
Catchers (2)
Riley Adams
Keibert Ruiz (S)
Infielders (7)
CJ Abrams (L)
Josh Bell (S)
Paul DeJong
Luis García Jr. (L)
Nathaniel Lowe (L)
Amed Rosario
José Tena* (L)
Outfielders (4)
Alex Call
Dylan Crews*
James Wood* (L)
Jacob Young*
* First Opening Day roster
- Selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Brad Lord
- Optioned right-handed pitcher Jackson Rutledge to Triple-A Rochester
- Optioned infielder/outfielder Juan Yepez to Triple-A Rochester
- Transferred left-handed pitcher DJ Herz to the 60-day Injured List with a left elbow UCL sprain
- Placed right-handed pitcher Derek Law on the 15-day Injured List (retroactive to March 24) with right forearm inflammation
- Placed right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli on the 15-day Injured List (retroactive to March 24) with Tommy John surgery rehabilitation
- Placed right-handed pitcher Zach Brzykcy on the 15-day Injured List (retroactive to March 24) with a right quadriceps strain
- Placed Andrés Chaparro on the 10-day Injured List (retroactive to March 24) with an oblique strain
- Reassigned catcher Andrew Knizner to Triple-A Rochester
Lord, 25, led Washington’s system with a 2.43 ERA and ranked in wins (2nd, 10), strikeouts (2nd, 135), opponents batting average (2nd, .224), WHIP (4th, 1.20) and innings pitched (5th, 129.2) during his breakout 2024 campaign. For his efforts, he was the winner of the “Nationals Way” award following the season. He pitched at three levels of Washington’s system, advancing to Triple-A Rochester to end the season. He was one of just two pitchers in Minor League Baseball to win 10 games, pitch to an ERA less than 2.50 and record at least 100 strikeouts.
Lord was selected in the 18th round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of South Florida.