Nationals acquire lefty reliever Sanmartin for minor league right-hander Cranz
The Washington Nationals acquired left-handed reliever Reiver Sanmartin from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for minor league right-hander Robert Cranz, after Sanmartin was designated for assignment. The 30-year-old has a 5.37 career major league ERA over five seasons, but his strong ground-ball rates—including 63.8% in 21⅓ innings with San Francisco last season—could suit a Nationals bullpen that has used low-slot left-handers. Sanmartin relies mainly on a sinker averaging about 92 mph, and he is out of minor league options, so he will need to make Washington’s major league roster or risk another designation. Cranz, a 2024 seventh-round pick, showed strong strikeout results in the lower minors but struggled after reaching Triple-A; Washington is giving up a relief prospect for a pitcher it may envision in a middle-relief role.
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