The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's 4-2 loss to Atlanta.
Cornelio will return to Triple-A after just over a month-long stay in the big leagues. The right-hander posted a 4.63 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 11.2 innings in eight appearances in his second stint of the season with the Nationals. His demotion will clear a spot in the bullpen for right-hander Yovanny Cruz, who was one of four players the Nationals acquired from the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for first baseman Luis Garcia.
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Nationals' Riley Cornelio: Collects first big-league win
Rotowire
Cornelio (1-1) picked up the win Monday, walking two batters over 1.2 no-hit, scoreless relief innings in a victory over the Rockies. He didn't record a strikeout.
It was the 26-year-old's first career win in his eighth appearance. Control continues to elude Cornelio for the most part, as he has a 17:15 K:BB through 16.1 innings with a 6.06 ERA and 1.90 WHIP, and he'll remain in a low-leverage role as long as that continues.
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Nationals' Riley Cornelio: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
The Nationals recalled Cornelio from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.
Cornelio has been shaky in three appearances for the Nationals this season, logging a 6.48 ERA and 4:9 K:BB over 8.1 innings. Though most of the 26-year-old's pro experience is as a starting pitcher, he pitched in a relief role with Rochester after being sent down by the Nationals earlier this month, and he appears ticketed for the bullpen during this stint in the majors.
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Nationals' Riley Cornelio: Dispatched to Rochester
Rotowire
The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
Cornelio will head back to the minors after allowing four earned runs in 6.1 innings across his two appearances since joining the big club Sunday. He now owns a 6.48 ERA and 1.92 WHIP with the Nationals but remains an option to make a spot start or provide length out of the bullpen later this summer.
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Nationals' Riley Cornelio: Back with Washington
Rotowire
The Nationals are expected to recall Cornelio from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
Cornelio will make his way back up to the big-league club ahead of Sunday's series finale versus the Diamondbacks after being demoted to Rochester on April 24. The 26-year-old has posted a 4.87 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 64:26 K:BB in 44.1 innings at the Triple-A level this season.
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Nationals' Riley Cornelio: Set for promotion
Rotowire
The Nationals are expected to recall Cornelio from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
Cornelio has gotten off to a strong start with Rochester this season, posting a 2.45 ERA and 1.05 WHIP alongside a 27:8 K:BB through 18.1 innings (four starts). His performance will now buy him an opportunity in the big leagues, where he is likely to work out of Washington's bullpen in a long-relief role. He'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game.
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Nationals' Riley Cornelio: Sent out of big-league camp
Rotowire
The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.
Cornelio impressed in his limited Grapefruit League action with a 7:0 BB:K while holding batters to a .176 average over five innings, but having minor-league options remaining may have worked against his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old righty is likely to remain on a starter's development track at Rochester, though poor command and the lack of a deep arsenal could make him a better fit in the bullpen once he reaches the big leagues.
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Nationals' Riley Cornelio: Could make Opening Day roster
Rotowire
Cornelio will be in the mix for a spot on the 26-man roster this spring, either in the bullpen or at the back of the rotation, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The Nationals' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2025 began the campaign at High-A Wilmington and finished the year with eight starts for Triple-A Rochester, posting a 38:13 K:BB in 35.1 innings. Cornelio saw a big spike in his fastball velocity last season, touching 97-98 mph but having difficulty sustaining that heat deeper into games, and his slider has flashed plus. The 25-year-old right-hander got added to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, and he could follow the same path that Brad Lord did in 2025, beginning the season in short relief before getting stretched out for a rotation or swingman role. Given the Nats' muddled closer picture, Cornelio could also work his way into a high-leverage role if his fastball plays up in shorter bursts and his slider becomes more consistent.
