Washington is bringing back one of their best starters from this past year, pending a physical. Williams missed three months of the 2024 season with a right flexor muscle strain.
The veteran still managed to finish the season with a 6-1 record, throwing a career-low 2.03 ERA in 66.2 innings. Williams gave up just 51 hits and 18 walks while striking out 59 batters.
The righty had a rough go at it his first year with the Nationals throwing a 5.55 ERA in 30 starts. In his 144.1 innings pitched that season, he led the National League in home runs given up with 34. But after a resurgence year in 2024, he's looking to get back to form for the Nats.
Williams is 50-55 in his career as a starter for four teams that include the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and Washington Nationals.
He was originally a second-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins, and became their number-four pitching prospect, but was later traded to Pittsburgh for pitcher Richard Mitchell, who is no longer in the league.