Trevor Williams Joins Rangers After Nationals Release
ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers signed veteran right-hander Trevor Williams to a major league contract prior to Tuesday's game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field, adding depth to a bullpen that has been stretched thin by injuries.
Williams, 34, was released by the Washington Nationals on Aug. 30 after going unclaimed on waivers, following his designation for assignment. He joined the Rangers' active roster as major league rosters expanded from 26 to 28 players on Sept. 1, alongside utility infielder Cam Cauley.
Williams said the deal came together "fairly quick" after a single day of unemployment, but the recruitment had been ongoing for months. He credited Nationals teammate MacKenzie Gore with persistent recruiting.
"All year, MacKenzie [Gore] has been blowing up my phone, about how great Texas is as this organization," Williams said with a laugh. "It's been a team that I've always wanted to come to."
A Return From Injury and a New Role
Williams missed the bulk of the 2026 season after undergoing elbow surgery, but he returned to pitch out of the bullpen for the Nationals, posting a 2.65 ERA in eight appearances. He had worked exclusively as a starter for the previous three seasons before transitioning to relief upon his return from the injured list last month.
He last pitched Aug. 23 but stayed fresh by playing catch at a San Diego-area high school. "I feel great," Williams said. "I feel ready to pitch."
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Williams "can provide a lot of depth in the bullpen" but declined to specify a role with less than a month left in the regular season. Williams logged multiple innings in six of his eight appearances with the Nationals this season, and he could fill a similar multi-inning role for Texas, especially with right-handed pitchers Peyton Gray and Cole Winn each one day into injured list stints.
Financial and Roster Implications
According to Sports Illustrated, the Nationals will owe the majority of Williams' salary for the remainder of the year, with the Rangers paying only the prorated league minimum. Williams has a 31% strikeout rate in his limited sample size this season, the best of his career, which could make him a valuable addition to the Rangers' bullpen as they pursue a wild card spot.
Williams, who has spent more than a decade in the big leagues with four different teams, is eligible for the Rangers' playoff roster if they advance because he was a member of the organization before 11 m. on Sept. 1.
The Rangers also signed left-handed pitcher John King to a minor league contract. King spent three seasons with Texas before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2023 trade deadline for Jordan Montgomery.