The Nationals make even more roster moves as two players designated for assignment

The Nationals have designated veteran RHP Jordan Weems & DH/OF Harold Ramirez for assignment to make room for Rookie RHP Orlando Ribalta & 3B/1B Andres Chaparro. Jordan Weems, drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2011, bounced from team to team before finding a home with the Nationals in 2021. In 2022, Weems was a late-season call-up and pitched to a 5.22 ERA over 31 games. Jordan had his best season in 2023, where he pitched to a 3.62 ERA over 51 games, and seemed to have a good chance of breaking out in 2024. That was not the case. In 2024, Weems has pitched to a 6.70 ERA, giving up 35 runs over 41.2 innings. Weems was placed on the 15-day injured list during the last week of July, and after 1 appearance back on the team, he was DFA’d for 2019 12th-round pick Orlando Ribalta.

Ribalta began the season with Double-AA Harrisburg and pitched to a 1.00 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 16 games. Ribalta would be promoted in May and continued to pitch well. Over 25 Triple-AAA appearances, Ribalta held a 3.25 ERA with 35 strikeouts.

The Nationals also needed to find room for 3B Andres Chaparro, and Harold Ramirez would draw the short straw. Ramirez, a career .300 hitter, was DFA’d by the Rays earlier this season and would be claimed by the Nationals in mid-June. Over 25 games with the Nats, Ramirez hit .243 with 1 homer and 16 RBI. The Ramirez DFA was a bit surprising for some fans, but he had no options remaining. The Nationals also wanted to keep Travis Blankenhorn on the team as a left-handed bat until Joey Gallo can be activated from the injured list. Unfortunately for Harold, Andres Chaparro was putting up incredible numbers in Triple-AAA.

Chaparro was acquired by the Nationals this past deadline from Arizona in exchange for RHP Dylan Floro. In 10 Triple-AAA games with the Nationals, Chaparro had 4 homers (4 games in a row) and 10 RBI. Overall, Chaparro has slashed .328 with 23 homers and 83 RBI. Chaparro made his MLB debut last night at first base against the Orioles, and Davey Martinez announced that Chaparro will split time with Juan Yepez as DH/1B. Chaparro has a huge chance to become a piece of the future, as the Nationals do not have a set first baseman for the future. Though Chaparro spent 8 seasons in the minors, he is only 25.

Chaparro also wasted no time acclimating to life in the Major Leagues, as he went 3 for 4 with 3 doubles and an RBI in his Major League debut.

The notable factor about these moves is that Mike Rizzo continues to prove in 2024 that it's time to turn a page on the veteran placeholders. In former years, players like Nelson Cruz, Cesar Hernandez, Jordy Mercer, and a few others have played full seasons in DC while their prospects develop. But this season alone, Rizzo has parted ways with Nick Senzel, Eddie Rosario, Matt Barnes, Victor Robles, and now Weems and Ramirez. This includes trading Lane Thomas, Dylan Floro, and Jesse Winker. Rizzo also optioned Joey Meneses to Triple-AAA. The Nationals and Mike Rizzo are letting the young guys shine, and now, two more rookies get the opportunity to showcase their talents and fight for a roster spot next season.