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The Nationals’ ever-changing catching corps underwent more change today when the club signed veteran Jorge Alfaro to a major league deal and sent C.J. Stubbs back to Triple-A one day after he was part of a shutout win in his major league debut.
The move, which caught plenty by surprise, brings a more experienced player to a Nats roster lacking in that area, especially behind the plate. Alfaro, 32, has 496 games of big league experience, mostly with the Marlins and Phillies, though he hasn’t played at this level since brief stints with the Rockies and Red Sox in 2023.
Alfaro had spent the entire season with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville, batting .244 with 15 homers, 49 RBIs and a .715 OPS in 82 games. He was released on Monday, and the Nationals immediately jumped in and offered him a chance to return to the majors.
“It’s emotional, getting back to the big leagues,” he said. “Being able to spend the last couple of months in Nashville, playing in Triple-A, it’s like a blessing from god to get this opportunity with the Nationals.”
With Riley Adams having ascended to the No. 1 catching job since Keibert Ruiz’s placement on the 7-day concussion injured list in early July, Alfaro now becomes the new No. 2 catcher. That role has changed hands several times in the last week alone.
