In a surprising move that underscores a difficult season, the Washington Nationals have designated first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for assignment on Thursday, August 14, 2025. The decision came just a day after Lowe hit a grand slam against the Kansas City Royals and was made to clear a roster spot for outfielder Dylan Crews, who has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list.
Lowe, 30, joined the Nationals in an offseason trade on December 22, 2024, that sent left-handed pitcher Robert Garcia to the Texas Rangers. Hopes were high for the veteran first baseman, who was coming off several successful seasons in Texas, including winning a Silver Slugger award in 2022, a Gold Glove in 2023, and a World Series championship in 2023. His 2025 salary of $10.3 million made him one of the highest-paid players on the Nationals’ active roster, but his performance on the field did not match expectations.
Through 119 games with Washington, Lowe struggled to find his form, posting a slash line of .216/.292/.373. While he managed to hit 16 home runs and drive in 68 runs, his .665 OPS is a significant drop from his career average of .770, according to MLB.com. His final hit as a National was a memorable one—a grand slam on August 13—but it wasn’t enough to secure his position with the team.
This marks a swift downturn for a player who was a cornerstone of the Rangers’ championship run. In his standout 2022 season, Lowe batted .302 with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs, earning him the American League Silver Slugger Award for first basemen. He followed that with a stellar defensive season in 2023, capturing his first career Gold Glove while hitting 17 home runs and a career-high 82 RBIs over 161 games. His departure from Washington signals a significant shift for both the player and the club.
The roster move facilitates the return of promising outfielder Dylan Crews, who was placed on the 60-day injured list with an oblique injury. With Lowe’s departure, veteran Josh Bell is expected to take over the primary duties at first base for the Nationals.
The Nationals now have a seven-day window to trade Lowe, place him on waivers, or release him. Given his track record of success, including both offensive and defensive accolades, it is likely that another team will take a chance on the 30-year-old first baseman, hoping he can rediscover the form that made him a champion. His struggles in 2025 present a buy-low opportunity for teams in need of a power-hitting corner infielder with a proven pedigree.
The move is a clear indication that the Nationals are prioritizing future potential and roster flexibility over a high-priced veteran who failed to produce. For Lowe, it’s an unexpected mid-season crossroads in a career that, until recently, was on a steady upward trajectory.
