Nationals Claim Matt Krook, Free Up a Roster Spot by DFA’ing Andre Granillo

The Washington Nationals completed a short set of roster transactions on July 4, claiming left-hander Matt Krook off waivers from the Oakland Athletics. The move gives Washington another southpaw option on its active roster as it manages the constraints of the 40-man limit and the need for bullpen and starting-depth flexibility.

To make room for Krook on the 40-man roster, the Nationals designated right-hander Andre Granillo for assignment. In practical terms, designation for assignment removes a player from the 40-man roster and starts a window in which the club must either trade the player, release him, or place him through waivers, depending on how the player clears and what Washington chooses to do next.

The Nationals also optioned right-hander Zak Kent to Triple-A to further align their player numbers. Optioning a player typically means he remains in the organization but is reassigned to the minor leagues without exposing him to waivers, as long as the club has option years available for that player.

Taken together, the trio of moves reflects the Nationals’ attempt to add Krook from outside the organization without losing another player for nothing. Washington has effectively shifted value from the right side of its depth chart by moving Kent to Triple-A, then created a waiver-traversal decision for Granillo through the DFA process.

For Oakland, losing Krook off waivers indicates the left-hander was available on the waiver wire and not protected on the Athletics’ active roster. The claim transfers Krook’s waiver rights to Washington, with the Nationals assuming responsibility for the player’s contract and the roster spot required to keep him in the majors.

Granillo’s next steps depend on what happens during the DFA period. If he is claimed by another club, Washington would lose him with no further roster obligation; if he clears waivers, the Nationals would then decide whether to outright him, keep him in the minors, or make another personnel move. The organization’s choices here will be a quick test of how it views Granillo’s place on the right-handed depth tier behind its current mix.

Going forward, the most immediate watch item is how Washington integrates Krook into its pitching usage plan. With roster moves like these often driven by near-term bullpen or rotation-adjacent needs, Krook’s first outings with the Nationals will likely clarify how the club intends to deploy him in the short term while the DFA process runs its course for Granillo.