Baker was outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier this month and is now out of the organization altogether. Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Baker asked to be released in order to pursue an opportunity elsewhere, and that request was granted. Baker slashed .256/.343/.318 with one homer and 26 steals in 107 games with Triple-A Rochester in 2025.
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Nationals' Darren Baker: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Baker received an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
The Nationals designated Baker for assignment Wednesday to open up a spot on the 40-man roster, and after clearing waivers, the 26-year-old will remain in the organization. He hasn't appeared in a big-league game in 2025, and is slashing .260/.348/.325 with 26 stolen bases in 361 plate appearances this season with Rochester.
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Nationals' Darren Baker: Booted off 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Nationals designated Baker for assignment Wednesday.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Sauryn Lao, who was claimed off waivers from the Mariners. Baker got a cup of coffee in the big leagues in 2024 but has spent all of 2025 at Triple-A Rochester, slashing .260/.348/.325 with one home run and 26 steals. The 26-year-old stands a good chance of clearing waivers and remaining in the Nationals organization.
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Nationals' Darren Baker: Opening season in minors
Rotowire
The Nationals optioned Baker to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.
Baker received his first taste of the big leagues as a September call-up in 2024, seeing action with Washington in nine games while going 7-for-14 with two doubles and one run. The 26-year-old likely projects as a utility player at the big-league level, but he'll be given the chance to play on an everyday basis in Rochester to begin the upcoming season.
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Nationals' Darren Baker: Receives call-up
Rotowire
The Nationals selected Baker's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.
The son of longtime manager and former MLB outfielder Dusty Baker, Darren will get his first taste of the big leagues at age 25. The left-handed Baker lacks power (no home runs in 483 plate appearances at Triple-A), but he makes good contact (18.8 percent strikeout rate, .285 average) and brings speed to the table (38 steals in 43 attempts). He'll serve in a utility role for the Nationals in September and saw action at second base, left field and center field for the Triple-A club this season.
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Nationals' Darren Baker: Promotion forthcoming
Rotowire
The Nationals will select Baker's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
MLB rosters will expand from 26 to 28 players Sunday, so the Nationals will take the opportunity to add depth to their bench by promoting Baker. The 25-year-old has spent the entire season at Triple-A slashing .285/.348/.340 with 49 RBI across 483 plate appearances. While he may not offer much in terms of production at the plate, his ability to play both second base and left field will give the Nats additional defensive flexibility for the final month of the season.
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Nationals' Darren Baker: Sent to minor-league camp
Rotowire
The Nationals reassigned Baker to minor-league camp Sunday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Baker, the son of former player and manager Dusty Baker, was selected in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Last season, the 25-year-old made the jump from High-A Wilmington to Triple-A Rochester. In Triple-A, he slashed .270/.336/.337 with three home runs across 448 plate appearances in 99 games. The second baseman notched four hits in 13 plate appearances during spring training.
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