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The Pirates acquired Hassell from the Nationals on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
Hassell was just outrighted off the Nationals' 40-man roster earlier this week, and now he's on the move to a new organization. The 24-year-old outfielder has slashed just .215/.304/.289 over 63 games this season at Triple-A Rochester after sporting a .223/.257/.315 slash line in 70 major-league games in 2025.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Nationals outrighted Hassell to Triple-A Rochester after he cleared waivers Sunday.
The former top prospect was designated for assignment by Washington last weekend but will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Hassell received his first taste of the majors in 2025 and posted a .572 OPS and 30.1 percent strikeout rate in 70 games, and he performed similarly at Rochester this season with a .216/.307/.291 slash line across 258 plate appearances.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Jettisoned from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Nationals designated Hassell for assignment Sunday.
Part of the six-player haul the Nationals received in the August 2022 trade that sent Juan Soto to San Diego, Hassell had seen his development stall out over the past couple of seasons. The 24-year-old outfielder reached the big leagues for the first time in 2025 and produced a lowly .572 OPS in 70 games, and he hadn't shown much sign of improvement while spending the entire campaign to date at Triple-A Rochester. Over 258 plate appearances at Triple-A, Hassell struck out at a 25.2 clip and slashed .216/.307/.291 with two home runs and eight steals. Washington will move Hassell off the 40-man roster to clear a spot for right-hander Eddy Yean, whose contract was selected from Triple-A.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Misses Opening Day roster
Rotowire
The Nationals optioned Hassell to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday.
The 24-year-old struggled to a .223/.257/.315 slash line in 70 games as a rookie last season and was expected to open 2025 as Washington's No. 4 outfielder, but the organization is instead sending him to the minors to presumably ensure that he gets everyday playing time to start 2026. Hassell should get another look in the big leagues at some point this season, especially if he replicates the .839 OPS he posted with Rochester last year.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Swipes bag Tuesday
Rotowire
Hassell went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
Hassell showed off his defensive versatility, playing all three outfield spots over the course of the game. The 24-year-old will likely open the season as the Nationals' fourth outfielder behind James Wood, Dylan Crews and Jacob Young, and if Young's weak bat costs him playing time, Hassell would be the most likely beneficiary. He's far from a finished product, however, batting .286 (8-for-28) this spring with one double, two steals in four attempts and a sketchy 1:9 BB:K.
Nationals' Robert Hassell: Taking seat against RHP
Rotowire
Hassell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.
Though he had started the previous two matchups against right-handed pitchers, Hassell will sit against White Sox righty Shane Smith in the season finale. Jacob Young will get the nod in center field instead.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Sitting against southpaw
Rotowire
Hassell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
With southpaw Sean Manaea starting for the Mets, Hassell will retreat to the bench for the series finale. Right-hander Clay Holmes is expected to piggyback Manaea at some point during the contest, so Hassell could be a candidate to replace center fielder Jacob Young once Holmes takes over.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Taking seat Tuesday
Rotowire
Hassell is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Hassell started the previous two contests but has a .211/.250/.421 slash line through seven games in September and will head to the bench Tuesday. Jacob Young is starting in center field and batting ninth against Miami righty Adam Mazur.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Out of Washington lineup
Rotowire
Hassell is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.
Hassell had made nine straight starts against right-handed pitching, but he'll take a seat Tuesday as the Marlins send righty Adam Mazur to the bump. Jacob Young is in center field and batting ninth for the Nationals.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Resting against southpaw
Rotowire
Hassell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
Hassell will hit the bench while the Nationals face off against lefty Ian Seymour. Jacob Young will fill in for Hassell in center field and bat ninth.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Receiving afternoon off
Rotowire
Hassell is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.
Hassell had been included in Washington's lineup in each of the last five games, but the left-handed-hitting rookie will head to the bench for the series finale in New York while the Yankees send southpaw Max Fried to the bump. Jacob Young will cover center field in Hassell's stead.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Absent from lineup
Rotowire
Hassell is not in the lineup for Tuesday's tilt against the Mets.
Hassell had started four of the previous six contests in center field, but he'll begin Tuesday's series opener on the bench. Jacob Young will be tasked with center-field duties for the Nationals.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Gaining foothold in lineup
Rotowire
Hassell will start in center field and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Phillies.
Hassell has now started four of the Nationals' last six games, with one of his absences during that stretch coming against a left-handed pitcher. With an .885 OPS since being called up from Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 1, Hassell has earned a regular spot in the rotation as Washington finds playing time for five young outfielders -- Hassell, James Wood, Dylan Crews, Daylen Lile and Jacob Young -- between the three defensive assignments and DH.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Smacks first major-league homer
Rotowire
Hassell went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during Saturday's 8-2 loss to Milwaukee.
In a game that saw the Nationals limited to two hits (a season low), Hassell made his one knock count in the third inning, when he took Brandon Woodruff deep to right field. It was the first major-league homer of Hassell's career, and the 23-year-old has a .547 OPS with one steal and 10 RBI across 81 plate appearances this season. He should see regular playing time in the outfield as long as Dylan Crews (oblique) is sidelined.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Drives in two in return to majors
Rotowire
Hassell went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI in Friday's loss to the Brewers.
Making his return to the majors Friday, Hassell wasn't in the starting nine but made a quick impact after pinch hitting for Jacob Young in the eighth inning. With Daylen Lile staying productive in right field, Hassell may have to settle for a bench role during his latest stint with the Nats, especially once Dylan Crews (oblique) gets healthy.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Promoted Friday
Rotowire
The Nationals recalled Hassell from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
The 23-year-old will join Washington for his second stint in the majors after Alex Call was traded to the Dodgers on Thursday. Hassell had a .497 OPS over 79 plate appearances during his first taste of the big leagues, but he now appears set to take over as the Nationals' starting right fielder, at least until Dylan Crews (oblique) returns from the IL.
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Nationals' Robert Hassell: Likely headed back to majors
Rotowire
Hassell was scratched from the lineup with Triple-A Rochester on Thursday and figures to be promoted to the majors Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
The Nationals have a hole in the outfield with Alex Call having been shipped to the Dodgers at the trade deadline, and Hassell appears to be in line to fill it. The 23-year-old struggled in his first taste of the majors earlier this season, but since returning to Rochester in mid-June he's been on a tear, slashing .336/.435/.519 over 33 games with six homers, seven steals and a 23:23 BB:K. Hassell figures to handle starting duties in right field until Dylan Crews (oblique) returns from the IL.
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