Nationals Have Designated Chase Hampton for Assignment
The Washington Nationals removed the 25-year-old pitcher from their roster after claiming him off waivers.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Baseball
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The Washington Nationals designated Chase Hampton for assignment on September 26, 2026. The move follows the pitcher's previous designation by the New York Yankees earlier in the month.
Why it matters
The roster move marks the latest shift for the young pitcher who has struggled to regain his form after major surgery. The organization must now decide on the future of the right-hander, who has yet to make his major-league debut.
Chase Hampton holds a career minor-league ERA of 4.89 with 217 strikeouts over 180 1/3 innings. During his 2026 season, he posted an 8.18 ERA across 55 innings of work.
The players
Chase Hampton
He is a 25-year-old pitcher who was originally selected by the New York Yankees in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
Washington Nationals
This is a professional Major League Baseball team based in Washington, D.C.
New York Yankees
This is a professional Major League Baseball team based in New York City.
Aaron Judge
He is a prominent outfielder for the New York Yankees who was recently activated from the injured list.
The details
The Nationals moved to designate Hampton after claiming the player off waivers following his initial release by the New York Yankees. The Yankees had previously designated the 25-year-old for assignment to create room on their 40-man roster for Aaron Judge.
Timeline
The New York Yankees selected Chase Hampton in the 2022 MLB Draft.
Hampton underwent Tommy John surgery in 2025.
The New York Yankees designated him for assignment on September 7, 2026.
The Washington Nationals designated him for assignment on September 26, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This roster move highlights the volatility of young prospects who have faced significant medical setbacks like Tommy John surgery. It illustrates the aggressive churning of 40-man rosters as teams balance long-term development with immediate needs to clear spots for established stars.
The designation removes Hampton from the 40-man roster, exposing him to waiver claims from other major-league clubs. If he clears waivers, the organization may retain him in the minor-league system or release him entirely.
The takeaway
The career trajectory of a high-draft prospect can be significantly altered by medical issues like Tommy John surgery. Teams often view waiver-wire additions as low-risk opportunities to bolster depth without long-term financial commitments.
Further reading
For more on the latest team updates, visit Washington Baseball.
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Should professional baseball teams continue investing in developmental prospects after major injury setbacks?
