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Lord will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher Sunday in a bullpen game against the Reds, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Lord made his return from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and tossed a scoreless inning of relief later that day against the Phillies, but he'll now be called upon to make his second start of the season. Washington has a permanent opening in its rotation after recently designating Zack Littell for assignment, but it's unclear if Lord will be gradually built up for a starting role or if the Nationals will turn to a Triple-A starter such as Luis Perales or Jackson Kent to fill the void. At least for Sunday's contest, expect Lord to be operating with a restricted workload after having not worked longer than three innings in any of his 28 appearances on the season.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Reinstated from IL
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Washington activated Lord (side) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
After completing a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester, Lord has been cleared to return to the big-league club. Before landing on the IL, the 26-year-old posted a 3.88 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB over 58 innings. The Nationals designated right-hander Zack Littell for assignment in a corresponding move.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Starts up rehab assignment
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Lord (side) began a rehab assignment Saturday at Triple-A Rochester, striking out two batters over a perfect inning.
Lord has been on the injured list since July 9 due to left side tightness, but he'll likely need just one or two more appearances in the minors before getting the green light to rejoin the Washington bullpen. Before getting hurt, the right reliever turned in a 3.88 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 58 innings while gathering five wins, one save and four holds.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Facing hitters next week
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Lord (side) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Lord is nearly ready to face hitters after missing the past two-plus weeks with left side tightness. He could be ready for a rehab appearance after that. Lord is tracking toward a return in early August if all goes well.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Shelved by side tightness
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The Nationals placed Lord on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left side tightness.
Lord last pitched Sunday, when he was rocked for five runs over 1.1 innings. His absence could end up being around the 15-day minimum if he is indeed only dealing with tightness, but the Nationals may need to send Lord for imaging to see if he has a strain.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Serving as opener Wednesday
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Lord will be the Nationals' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game versus the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
He'll take the ball first before eventually turning the game over to left-hander Andrew Alvarez. Lord has been a starting pitcher in the past and has been used primarily in long relief this season, so he's capable of logging multiple innings Wednesday, if needed.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Implodes in first loss
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Lord (5-1) took a blown save and the loss against Phillies on Tuesday, allowing six runs on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts while recording two outs in the ninth inning.
Lord entered the ninth inning with an 8-6 lead and struck out the first two batters he faced. From there, he allowed six straight batters to reach base and was ultimately charged with six runs in his first loss of the season. While the 26-year-old entered the appearance with just one save, he sported a 2.29 ERA and was deployed by the Nationals in various situations.The rare clunker ballooned his ERA to 3.31 for the year, to go along with a 1.10 WHIP and 46:15 K:BB across 51.2 innings.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Snags fifth win Monday
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Lord (5-0) picked up the win against the Royals on Monday, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk over three innings of relief. He struck out two.
The right-hander wasn't particularly effective over 48 pitches (31 strikes), but he was the pitcher of record when the Nationals took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lord's been a versatile bullpen option this season, adding three holds and a save to his ledger over 22 appearances and 48 innings with a 2.44 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Slams door for six-out save
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Lord secured the save Saturday against the Diamondbacks, throwing two clean innings. He struck out one.
Lord recorded his first career save Saturday, extending his scoreless streak to 8.1 innings in the process. The 26-year-old right-hander should remain a multi-inning weapon out of Washington's bullpen and continue to see high-leverage work, but he doesn't figure to see consistent save chances. Through 40.1 frames, Lord sports a 2.45 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB with five holds.
Lord gave up a hit and struck out two in 1.2 scoreless innings Friday to record his third hold of the season in a win over the Marlins.
The right-hander has been a multi-inning weapon out of the bullpen for the Nationals this season, working more than one inning in 10 of his first 12 appearances. Over 25.1 frames in 2026, Lord has posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB while also adding a win to his ledger.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Nabs Opening Day win in relief
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Lord (1-0) allowed one run on four hits over 2.1 innings of relief Thursday, earning the win in a 10-4 victory over the Cubs. He struck out one without walking a batter.
Cade Cavalli got the start but recorded only 11 outs on 75 pitches before getting the hook, and Lord was the Nat reliever handed the win by the official scorer. Lord is likely to have a versatile role out of the bullpen, getting used for longer stints but also potentially being a part of the high-leverage mix after the right-hander posted a 4.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 108:43 K:BB over 130.2 innings as a rookie in 2025 while starting 19 of his 48 appearances.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Out of rotation mix
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Lord indicated Thursday that he was no longer being built up as a starter, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
The 26-year-old righty has thrown 12.1 innings over five spring appearances (one start) with a 2.19 ERA and 8:3 K:BB, but it appears the Nationals are more comfortable with him in a long-relief role. Lord worked three scoreless innings and 36 pitches (27 strikes) out of the bullpen in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts, and he could piggyback Zack Littell early in the season while the late signing gets fully stretched out. As a rookie in 2025, Lord posted a 4.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 108:43 K:BB in 130.2 innings over 48 appearances (19 starts).
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Tagged with five runs
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Lord (5-10) yielded five runs on five hits and two walks over four innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against the White Sox.
Lord coughed up three home runs in the ugly loss, including Miguel Vargas' two-run shot in the first inning. Lord had given up three long balls over his previous 23 innings before Sunday's contest. He entered August with a 3.27 ERA but will finish the 2025 campaign with a 4.34 ERA over 130.2 frames. Lord produced a 2.79 ERA in 38.2 innings out of the bullpen. He also registered a 108:43 K:BB during his rookie season.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Posts quality start in loss
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Lord (5-9) took the loss Tuesday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four in six innings.
Lord worked four scoreless frames before Atlanta launched solo homers in the fifth and sixth to go ahead 2-1. Lord's results were extremely similar to his last time out when he faced Atlanta at home last week, though this time he was able to make it through six innings. Lord's allowed three runs or fewer in all four of his September starts and is tentatively set to make one final start this weekend against the White Sox.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Fades late in no-decision
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Lord came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-4 loss to Atlanta, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.
The right-hander blanked Atlanta for five frames and got handed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth, but Lord ran into trouble when he came out for the sixth in an eventual four-run frame that swung the game to the visitors. After a rough ending to August, Lord has been much sharper in September, posting a 3.18 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB over three starts and 17 innings. He's scheduled to make his final start of 2025 on the road next week in a rematch with Atlanta.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Quality start in no-decision
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Lord did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks over six innings versus the Pirates. He struck out four.
After a three-start stretch in late August in which he surrendered a combined 17 earned runs, Lord has bounced back in his past two outings with a 3.09 ERA and 11:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings. The 25-year-old rookie has started in 16 of his 45 appearances for the Nationals this year and has a 4.21 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 96:39 K:BB across 115.1 innings. His next start tentatively lines up to come versus Atlanta.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Bounces back with win, seven Ks
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Lord (5-8) earned the victory over the Cubs on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and four walks while striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings.
Lord was crushed in his previous three outings, giving up 18 runs (17 earned) while serving up four homers over 12.2 innings during that span. He was vastly better against a tough opponent Saturday, yielding just a second-inning run and falling one out shy of a quality start. Lord did walk four batters, but he also fanned a season-high seven and racked up 12 whiffs. The right-hander is lined up to make his next start on the road against Miami.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Tagged with seven runs
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Lord (4-8) yielded seven runs on five hits and two walks over three innings Sunday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Rays.
The Rays jumped on Lord early with a huge six-run second inning, capped off by Brandon Lowe's grand slam. Lord gave up another run in the third and ended his afternoon with 62 pitches (36 strikes). Since rejoining the Nationals' rotation in late July, he had thrown at least four innings in all seven starts before Sunday's ugly outing. Lord posted a 4.54 ERA during that seven-start span. He now owns a 4.34 ERA with an 85:35 K:BB through 103.2 innings this season. Lord is projected for a road start against the Cubs next weekend.
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Nationals' Brad Lord: Shelled in loss
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Lord (4-7) coughed up seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks over 4.1 innings and took the loss Monday against the Yankees. He struck out five.
The Washington right-hander was tagged for a season-worst six earned runs in this 78-pitch outing. This marks the second consecutive poor appearance for Lord, who had been solid in the second half prior to this start, pitching to a 3.45 ERA across 31.1 frames. After conceding two runs over the first four innings, Lord unraveled in the fifth, giving up five runs on five hits, capped by a Jazz Chisholm two-run homer. Across 100.2 total innings, the 25-year-old now sports a 3.84 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 82:33 K:BB. He currently lines up to make his next start at home against Tampa Bay this weekend.
