Nationals call up Eddy Yean for MLB debut, DFA Robert Hassell III to clear roster spot

The Washington Nationals added right-hander Eddy Yean to their Major League bullpen and, in a corresponding roster move, designated outfielder Robert Hassell III for assignment. The transaction changes the immediate composition of Washington’s 40-man group, with Yean getting the promotion he has worked toward for much of his pro career and Hassell facing the next step that comes after a DFA.

Yean, 25, is listed at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds and was born in Sabana Grande de Boya, Dominican Republic. According to Washington’s report, he will make his Major League debut after spending time in the Nationals system and later the Pirates organization. Washington also indicated that Yean re-signed with the club in November 2025, setting up this latest call-up.

In Triple-A Rochester, Yean focused on command and details aimed at finding his strike zone. The Nationals’ announcement credited his fastball, describing it as part of a profile that pairs with his sinker tendencies, and said his results included a 2-1 record, a 3.60 ERA, and nine saves across 39 games. He struck out 45 batters in 40 innings, a workload that indicates the club’s intent to use him as a late-inning option rather than as a purely spot bullpen arm.

The promotion also came with remarks from Nationals manager Blake Butera, who said the team viewed Yean’s “strike throwing” as a particularly strong point. That emphasis matters because relief roles in the majors often hinge on a pitcher’s ability to get ahead in the count and convert that advantage into outs, especially in innings where batters may be more aggressive.

Hassell III now enters the waiver process after being designated for assignment. Washington’s report placed his current performance in the minors at Rochester, where he hit.215 with two home runs and 21 RBIs in 63 games. It also noted a more productive previous season at Triple-A, when he batted.310 with 10 homers and 49 RBIs in 76 games.

Hassell’s situation is tied to both his pedigree and the expectations that followed him into the Nationals organization. The Nationals noted that he was a notable piece in the 2022 Juan Soto trade, and the broader context from baseball reporting is that Hassell was the Padres’ first-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. For Washington, DFAing a player of that profile is less about a single moment and more about roster math, performance, and how quickly the club needs help in specific areas.

What to watch next is whether Hassell is claimed or clears waivers and ends up in a different organization, since a DFA can quickly change a player’s path. Meanwhile, Yean’s first MLB appearances will be the immediate storyline, with his Triple-A save usage and the manager’s focus on strike throwing suggesting the Nationals see his promotion as a real bullpen opportunity rather than a short-term experiment.

For fans following the Nationals’ roster construction, this move reflects two parallel priorities: adding controllable pitching depth for the stretch, and resetting the outfield pipeline by removing a player who has not translated his recent Triple-A success into steady big-league results. The next few transactions could reveal whether Washington keeps expanding its bullpen options or pivots again after Yean gets time in the majors.