Griffin's Nats Debut: A NPB Star's Big Test

0:00The latest scores, headlines, and storylines. Right here on Washington Nationals news today. Subscribe and stay game ready. The Washington Nationals made an intriguing first free agent move by signing left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin to a one-year deal worth 5.5 million dollars. After dominating in Japan for three years, Griffin gets his big chance tonight in an exhibition game against Venezuela. This soft tossing softball with a fastball around 90 miles per hour brings a deep arsenal that could make him a back-end starter. Griffin shown in Japan's NPB league posting a 2.57 ERA over 315.2 innings. His standout 2025 season featured a 1.52 ERA, though injuries cut it to 89 innings. He thrived on command and variety, mixing pitches and ways that baffled hitters. Fans and analysts see Griffin as a wildcard after his early Royals days as a 2014 first-round pick. He reached the majors briefly but struggled for consistency, leading him to

1:02Japan post 2022. Now, with refined skills, there's hope his success translates, unlike some NPB imports. This spring, Griffin has been limited but impressed in live batting practice videos, even fooling teammates CJ Abrams. His seven-pitch mix, including cutters, sweepers and splitters, lets him adjust to lefties and righties. A slight velocity bump to 91 or 92 could help if he doesn't need to pace himself like in Japan. Tonight's match up against Venezuela's star-studded lineup, with Ronald Akuna Jr, Salvador Perez, and others, is a real test. If Griffin starts hot, then that's my flip him at the deadline. NPB ACEs often succeed here, so all eyes are on whether this gamble pays off for the rotation. Special thanks to our sponsor for supporting this episode. A pillow that plays your podcast, music or white noise privately, no earbuds required, S-O-L-L-I, solelypillow.com.