The quirky veteran left-hander officially joined the Nationals on Friday in Cincinnati, a day after inking a one-year Major League deal to bolster the back end of their bullpen. This marks the seventh organization for him, who started 2025 pitching for the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate before being released earlier this week. Ready to get back to the bigs, he didn’t hesitate.
“They called and said they had a spot for me,” said the 34-year-old. “I said, ‘Let’s go.’ So here I am. It’s pretty straightforward. I’m happy to be here. The guys seem great so far — looks like it’s going to be a good time.”
The new signing made his season debut on Saturday during the Nationals’ 11–6 victory over the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Called in with one out and a runner on first in the sixth, he came through when the Nats needed a stopper.
Starter Trevor Williams had just given up a solo shot to Jake Fraley, trimming Washington’s lead to three. Chafin was summoned to shut it down, and he responded with back-to-back strikeouts.
“He did exactly what we needed,” said manager Dave Martinez. “We hoped to let Trevor finish the inning or at least face the nine-hole hitter before making the switch, but Chafin stepped in and got big outs in a key moment.”
Chafin’s first pitch in the Majors this year was a strike to pinch-hitter Noelvi Marte. After a wild pitch moved the runner to second, he struck out Marte, then punched out TJ Friedl to end the inning. Eight pitches, six strikes, inning over.
“I threw more strikes than balls, and they chased a few that weren’t,” Chafin said with a grin.
Throughout his 12-year MLB career, Chafin has become a pro at adapting. He’s previously suited up for the D-backs, Tigers, Cubs, A’s, Rangers, and Brewers.
“I don’t really know anything about this team right now,” he admitted Friday. “I stay in my little bubble. I don’t even know what our record is. I’m just here to pitch my [butt] off and see what happens.”
Before signing with Washington, Chafin was 2–0 with a save and a 2.13 ERA in 13 outings with Triple-A Toledo, which caught the Nationals’ eye.
“I was getting outs and making pitches,” he said. “That’s the goal here too. Pitching is only as complicated as you make it.”
A former first-round pick by Arizona in 2011, Chafin has logged 509 innings in the majors. He entered Saturday leading all relievers with 500 appearances since 2017.
When asked about his durability, Chafin joked, “You can’t pull fat. I don’t know if I’m just lucky or my body’s too dumb to break, but I just listen to what it tells me. You learn how to read it over time.”
Now the most seasoned arm in the Nationals’ bullpen, Chafin is expected to be a steady presence and perhaps a mentor to young arms like lefty Jose A. Ferrer and right-handers Cole Henry and Jackson Rutledge, both in their first seasons as full-time relievers.
“I’m here to enjoy the ride,” he said. “If the young guys want to learn something, great. If not, that’s on them. I’ve seen a lot over the years — maybe I’ve got something to offer besides just throwing baseballs.”
Though Saturday marked his first big league appearance since Sept. 27, Chafin treated it like any other outing.
“It felt great to be back out there, jogging in with the crowd all around,” he said. “That’s where I belong.”