Cleveland Adds Griffin And Lowe Ahead Of MLB Trade Deadline

Guardians land starting pitcher Griffin in Nationals trade

Guardians Load Up: Griffin, Lowe join Cleveland as AL central race heats up. Cleveland adds pitching and power at deadline.

Nationals deal Griffin to Guardians for four prospects...

 

The Cleveland Guardians picked up starting pitcher Foster Griffin from the Washington Nationals just ahead of Monday’s trade deadline.

Griffin spent the last three years pitching in Japan before returning to the majors with Washington this season. He’s been excellent, posting a 3.06 ERA across 22 starts. In 129.1 innings he’s struck out 116, allowed 109 hits and issued only 30 walks.

Heading to Washington in the deal are big-league reliever Will Dion, plus Guardians prospects: No. 25 pitching prospect Josh Hartle, pitcher Kendeglys Virguez, and outfielder Nick Mitchel.

At 57-56, the Guardians are only three games behind the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central lead as they push to add talent before the deadline.

Guardians reportedly acquire LHP Foster Griffin from Nationals, per MLB's @Feinsand.

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— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2026

Cleveland has also brought in Brewers outfielder Blake Perkins and reliever Craig Yoho, plus Angels outfielder Jo Adell.

Their final move was a swap with the Cincinnati Reds for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, with 19-year-old pitching prospect Alejandro Rivera going the other way.

Lowe, 31, is a past Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner. This year he’s hitting .266/.341/.480 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs.

Guardians reportedly acquire 1B/DH Nathaniel Lowe from Reds, per multiple reports including MLB's @Feinsand.

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— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2026