Nationals' Foster Griffin: Tagged for four in no-decision
Rotowire
Griffin took a no-decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out seven in 5.1 innings pitched.
It was smooth sailing for Griffin through four innings, but he ran into some trouble in the fifth inning after being handed a 4-0 lead. The 30-year-old allowed four runs of his own in the bottom of the frame, the biggest swing being a three-run home run from Marcell Ozuna. That blast snapped a streak of three straight starts allowing two runs or fewer to begin the season for the southpaw. On the bright side, he does add seven more strikeouts to his total, bringing that number up to 19 through 20.2 innings pitched on the season. His next scheduled start will come against Atlanta, fourth in MLB with 24 home runs, on Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Foster Griffin: Flirts with no-hitter in second win
Rotowire
Griffin (2-0) recorded the win Saturday against the Brewers, allowing no runs on one hit and three walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out one.
The 30-year-old left-hander was superb Saturday, carrying a no-hit bid into the sixth inning before Joey Ortiz singled for Milwaukee's first hit of the game. Griffin, who hadn't pitched in the major leagues since 2022 prior to this season, is potentially breaking out for the Nationals, working at least five innings while allowing two runs or fewer in each of his first three starts. Griffin holds a 1.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB on the year.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Foster Griffin: Solid against Dodgers
Rotowire
Griffin (1-0) did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Dodgers, allowing a run on five hits and three walks across five innings. He struck out six.
Griffin was sharp Sunday, with the only damage against him coming on a Shohei Ohtani solo homer in the third inning. While the Nats' bullpen failed to hang on to a 6-1 lead, Washington has to be encouraged by Griffin's performance early in the season. Through two starts against two strong offenses (the Dodgers and Phillies), the 30-year-old southpaw has allowed just three runs on 10 hits while striking out 11 in 10 innings. Griffin is tentatively scheduled for a road matchup with the Brewers in his next outing.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Foster Griffin: Works through five in win
Rotowire
Griffin (1-0) earned the victory Monday against the Phillies, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out five over five innings.
It was just about a dream start to the game for Griffin as he was handed a 4-0 lead before he even threw his first pitch Monday. He handled that run support well, holding down the Nationals lineup in his five innings of work aside from a two-run home run surrendered to Rafael Marchan. That's an encouraging start to the season for the 30-year-old Griffin in his first MLB start since 2022.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Foster Griffin: Gets stretched out Friday
Rotowire
Griffin gave up three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out five.
The 30-year-old southpaw has seen extensive work on the back fields this spring, with Friday's start being just his second Grapefruit League appearance, but Griffin built up to 78 pitches (53 strikes) and appears ready to take the ball for his first MLB game since 2022. Over eight innings this spring, he's delivered a 4.50 ERA and 9:2 K:BB, and he'll handle a mid-rotation role for the Nationals to kick off 2026 after spending the last three seasons in Japan.
... See More... See Less
Foster Griffin: Let go by Toronto
Rotowire
Griffin was released by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Griffin is expected to continue his professional career overseas in Japan, leading the Blue Jays to release him. The 27-year-old appeared in only six MLB games in 2022 but had a 2.10 ERA across 51.1 innings at the Triple-A level.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Foster Griffin: Back in minors
Rotowire
Griffin was optioned down to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.
The 27-year-old southpaw ends up being the roster casualty following the promotion of Mitch White for his start Friday. Griffin threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen Wednesday, striking out two batters.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Foster Griffin: Called up Wednesday
Rotowire
Griffin was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.
Griffin made five appearances for the Royals earlier this season and posted a 12.46 ERA and 2.31 WHIP in 4.1 innings. However, he's spent the last two months at Buffalo and has posted a 1.69 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 21.1 innings. He should serve mainly as a middle reliever for Toronto after Julian Merryweather was sent down Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Blue Jays' Foster Griffin: Traded to Blue Jays
Rotowire
Griffin was traded from the Royals to the Blue Jays on Saturday in exchange for right-hander Jonatan Bernal.
Griffin made five relief appearances for the Royals this year and gave up six runs in 4.1 innings. He's been more effective in the minors, posting a 1.93 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 28 innings over 20 relief appearances. The southpaw was designated for assignment Monday but will report to Triple-A Buffalo now that he's been acquired by the Blue Jays.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Called up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Royals recalled Griffin from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
Though he'll be joining the 26-man active roster as a replacement for Jonathan Heasley (shoulder) -- who was placed on the 15-day injured list -- Griffin won't be replacing Heasley in the rotation. Griffin has worked no more than 2.1 innings in any of his 25 appearances between the majors and Triple-A this season.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Moved down to minors
Rotowire
The Royals optioned Griffin to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
Griffin's stint with the big club lasted just four days, with the lefty covering 1.2 innings out of the bullpen and allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two. Jackson Kowar was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to replace Griffin in the Kansas City bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Promoted by Kansas City
Rotowire
Griffin was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.
It will be Griffin's third time in the majors this season, though both of his previous two stints lasted only a couple days each. He's given up four earned runs over 2.2 innings for the Royals but has been lights out at Triple-A with a 1.52 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB across 23.2 frames.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Griffin was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
He gave up four earned runs without recording a strikeout in 2.2 innings across three appearances. This move clears a spot for Albert Abreu in the big-league bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Recalled by Kansas City
Rotowire
Griffin was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.
Griffin made a pair of relief appearances for the Royals in mid-May, and he allowed four runs in two innings. The southpaw has been much more effective in Omaha, posting a 1.83 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 19.2 innings over 13 relief appearances. While his first three major-league appearances have come out of the bullpen, Griffin has experience working as a starter in past minor-league seasons. The Royals haven't announced who will fill Zack Greinke's (elbow) spot in the rotation after he was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, but it's possible that Griffin will be in the mix to take on a starting role.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Optioned to Triple-A Omaha
Rotowire
Griffin was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
Griffin made two appearances during his stay in the majors. He's allowed four runs, three hits and two walks across two innings, with all of the damage coming in his most recent outing. The left-hander was optioned to make room for Ronald Bolanos (undisclosed) to be activated from the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Contract selected by Kansas City
Rotowire
Griffin had his contract selected by the Royals on Friday.
Griffin was unable to crack the Opening Day roster but will now receive his first big-league chance in 2022. The left-hander appeared in 13 games for Triple-A Omaha this season and has a 1.83 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB across 19.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Activated, sent to Double-A
Rotowire
Griffin (elbow) was activated from the injured list at Triple-A Omaha and optioned to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Wednesday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.
Griffin has been making rehab starts in the lower minors over the past month as he returns from August 2020 Tommy John surgery, and he's now cleared to join the active roster. The left-hander will open things up at Double-A now that he's been deemed healthy.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Moves rehab to Low-A affiliate
Rotowire
Griffin (elbow) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Low-A Columbia on Sunday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
On the comeback trail from August 2020 Tommy John surgery, Griffin looks to be making positive progress in his recovery. After tossing six innings across his four rehab outings in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Griffin is expected to increase his pitch count Sunday as he moves up to a full-season affiliate. Once Griffin is fully built up for starting duty, he should be activated from Triple-A Omaha's 60-day injured list and slot into the club's rotation.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Undergoes Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Griffin underwent Tommy John surgery Tuesday, he revealed on his personal Twitter page Saturday.
Griffin tore his UCL in his major-league debut on July 27. The timing of the injury almost certainly means he'll miss the entirety of the 2021 season as well as the rest of this year, though he'll have a good chance to be at full strength when he reports for spring training in 2022. At that point, he'll be a 26-year-old with just five outs of big-league experience to his name.
... See More... See Less
Royals' Foster Griffin: Transferred to 45-day injured list
Rotowire
Griffin (forearm) was transferred to the 45-day injured list Friday.
Griffin made his MLB debut Monday but suffered a left forearm strain that should end his season. Although he'll be able to return after 45 days under the revised rules for the 2020 season, the Royals will likely choose to let him fully recover ahead of the 2021 season rather than rushing him back.
