Nationals’ Closer Candidates to Watch in 2026

The Washington Nationals head into a new season with a familiar dilemma for any rebuilding club: who’s actually closing games when wins are rare but development matters? After trading away their steadiest bullpen arms, Washington faces a choice—do they trust someone in-house, or grab a short-term veteran to patch things up?

The Nationals’ Bullpen Problem Heading Into 2026

In 2025, the Nationals’ bullpen finished dead last in Major League Baseball. That’s rough, even for a team focused on building for the future instead of chasing immediate wins.

Trading catcher Jose A. Ferrer for Harry Ford filled a long-term hole behind the plate. But it left the relief corps even thinner, with no real ninth-inning anchor.

Washington’s front office isn’t expected to splurge on expensive free-agent relievers. They seem more interested in either grooming a closer from within or signing a cheap veteran who can steady things early and maybe get shipped out at the trade deadline.

Recent Closers Are Gone, Creating Opportunity

Kyle Finnegan brought some much-needed reliability to the bullpen in recent years. That ended when he got traded at the deadline, opening the door for Ferrer to take a shot as closer.

Ferrer notched 11 saves late in 2025, but he didn’t stick around either—he was sent to Seattle. Now, the closer job is wide open, which fits a franchise in transition with a new GM and a first-time manager eager to see what they’ve got internally.

Internal Candidates to Watch in the Ninth Inning

Washington has some interesting arms who might get a shot at closing. None are sure things, but each brings something worth a look during a rebuilding year.

Cole Henry: Starter Turned Power Reliever

Cole Henry’s path changed after injuries derailed his shot as a starter. Now, he’s working out of the bullpen, throwing a mid-90s fastball with heavy run and a curveball that can miss bats.

He’s got closer stuff, but the control just isn’t there yet. Henry’s 13.3% walk rate and spotty command could make ninth innings a rollercoaster.

Clayton Beeter: Swing-and-Miss Upside

If strikeouts are what you want, Clayton Beeter might be the guy. In parts of two big league seasons, he’s posted a 31.9% strikeout rate with a sharp 2.97 xFIP.

His slider is nasty and gets whiffs at an elite clip. Consistency is the big question, but the underlying numbers hint at genuine late-inning potential.

Left-Handed Options: Poulin and Pilkington

Lefties PJ Poulin and Konnor Pilkington are around, though neither screams “full-time closer.”

Without a veteran lefty joining the mix, both are probably best as matchup guys rather than true closers.

Dark Horses and Depth Pieces

Marquis Grissom Jr. is intriguing—he’s racked up 27 minor-league saves over three seasons and posted a sharp 2.21 ERA in 2024. But he’s not on the 40-man roster, which muddies his shot for now.

Brad Lord might be the most flexible choice. He hit 96 mph during a strong two-month run in 2025 and has already shown he can handle pressure. The real question: can he get lefties out if he’s pulled from his hybrid role for good?

Veteran Stopgap Still Makes Sense

The Nationals look set to kick off the year by giving arms like Henry and Beeter a shot. At the same time, they’ll keep an eye on the veteran market.

Honestly, a cheap reliever with some closing chops could steady the ninth inning. He’d also double as a July trade chip if things go south.

For Washington, grabbing a short-term arm isn’t just about scraping by in tight games. It’s a smart move for a rebuilding year—maybe not flashy, but it could help now and pay off later.

 
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