The Nationals signed Pilkington to a minor-league contract Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Pilkington had been at Triple-A Toledo in the Tigers organization, where he held a 5.40 ERA and 30:28 K:BB over 33.1 innings. The lefty made 32 appearances out of the Nationals' bullpen in 2025, collecting a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB in 28.1 frames.