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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Griffin gave up two hits and a walk over two scoreless innings in Wednesday's exhibition game against Team Venezuela. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Seeing his first game action of the spring, the 30-year-old left-hander tossed just 15 strikes on 29 pitches but avoided any damage against a star-studded lineup headlined by the likes of Ronald Acuna, Jackson Chourio and Salvador Perez. Griffin is expected to break camp in the Nationals' rotation after signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal to return to MLB from Japan, and the addition of a split-finger fastball to his low-velocity arsenal could allow him to handle a regular turn, or transition to a swingman role if Washington gets unexpected contributions from younger arms.

The Nationals signed Griffin to a one-year, $5.5 million contract Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He can earn an additional $1 million in incentives. Griffin logged eight innings in the majors with the Royals between the 2020 and 2022 seasons before spending the last three seasons pitching for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, where he collected a 2.57 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 25.1 percent strikeout rate and 5.5 percent walk rate over 315.2 innings. The left-hander should open the 2026 campaign in the Nationals' rotation.

Griffin is expected to seek a major-league contract following a three-year stint with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Griffin put up a 2.57 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 25.1 percent strikeout rate and 5.5 percent walk rate over 315.2 innings during his three seasons with the Giants. The 30-year-old southpaw saw brief action in the majors with the Royals in 2020 and 2022, allowing seven runs (six earned) with a 5:5 K:BB over eight innings. Griffin appears to have figured something out overseas and should have a chance to land a major-league contract this offseason.

Griffin was released by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Griffin was optioned down to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Griffin ends up being the roster casualty following the promotion of Mitch White for his start Friday. The 27-year-old southpaw threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen Wednesday, striking out two batters in the process.

Griffin was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Griffin was traded from the Royals to the Blue Jays on Saturday in exchange for right-hander Jonatan Bernal.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Griffin was designated for assignment by the Royals on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Griffin was called up from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, but he will now either get claimed by another team or return to Omaha after he was DFA'd Monday. The 26-year-old has struggled in his limited appearances in the big leagues this season, compiling a 12.46 ERA and 2.31 WHIP with two punchouts over 4.1 innings. Griffin has produced a far more effective 1.93 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 32 strikeouts over 28 frames with Omaha this year.

The Royals recalled Griffin from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

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.