CLEVELAND — The Guardians added to their pitching staff just before the trade deadline hit, and it included a pitcher with one of the most interesting baseball journeys in recent memory.
The Guardians agreed to a deal to acquire Washington Nationals All-Star left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin, according to multiple reports. In exchange for Griffin, the Guardians are sending a four-player package that includes pitchers Will Dion, Josh Hartle, Kendeglys Virguez and outfielder Nick Mitchell, according to a report from The Athletic.
Earlier on Aug. 3, the Guardians dealt for Angels outfielder Jo Adell. Over the weekend, the Guardians dealt catcher Bo Naylor and pitcher Codi Heuer to the Brewers for reliever Craig Yoho and outfielder Blake Perkins.
Foster Griffin career stats
Griffin, 31, spent three seasons between 2023 and 2025 pitching in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants before signing a one-year deal to return to the major leagues and North America with the Nationals. He’s made the most of it, turning in terrific season that earned him his first All-Star selection for the National League.
Griffin first broke through to the majors in 2020 with the Kansas City Royals but never found success, leading to his excursion to Japan. But in 2026, he’s posted a 12-3 record and a 3.06 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings.
In his three years pitching in the NPB, Griffin went 18-10 with a 2.57 ERA in 315 2/3 innings en route to earning an NPB All-Star selection in 2025. He then jumped to the majors and pitched his way to an MLB All-Star selection this summer.
Ryan Lewis covers the Guardians for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: All-Star starting pitcher Foster Griffin traded to Cleveland Guardians
Reporting by Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
