Colin Poche Chooses Free Agency After Nationals Release

After being designated for assignment by the Nationals earlier this week, left-hander Colin Poche has opted to enter free agency instead of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A. Poche cleared waivers but, with more than five years of MLB service time, had the right to decline a minor league assignment and explore new opportunities.

Poche initially signed a minor league deal with Washington in February and made the Opening Day roster, but his struggles on the mound led to his departure. He posted an 11.42 ERA over 13 appearances, walking 12 batters while striking out 10. His brief tenure with the Nationals was a sharp contrast to his previous success with the Rays from 2022-24, where he pitched to a 3.86 ERA over 37 1/3 innings in 2024. Now a free agent, Poche will look for a fresh start with a new team.