Right-hander Zack Littell has agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals, sources told ESPN. The deal includes a mutual option for the 2027 season, giving both sides flexibility beyond this season. The 30-year-old veteran brings valuable starting experience to a Nationals team in rebuilding mode under new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni.

The Nationals are coming off a 66-96 season and haven't had a winning record since their 2019 World Series championship. Littell, who went 10-8 with a 3.81 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds last season, set career highs with 32 starts and 186⅔ innings in 2025. He also threw his first career complete game in a 16-3 victory over Houston.

Littell joins a rotation that includes Cade Cavalli and Miles Mikolas, who signed a $2.25 million contract last month. The Nationals traded away MacKenzie Gore in January, signaling their commitment to developing young talent. An 11th-round pick in 2013, Littell brings 155 relief appearances and 79 starts to Washington's pitching staff as the team charts a new course.