Washington Nationals claim RHP Paxton Schultz off waivers from Toronto Blue Jays

Right-handed pitcher Paxton Schultz was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals on Friday.

Schultz, 28, was designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays on Jan. 4 to make room on the 40-man roster for Japanese import Kazuma Okamota, who inked a four-year, $60 million deal with the team over the weekend.

The 6-foot-3 hurler made two starts and 11 relief appearances for the Blue Jays this past season, compiling an earned-run average of 4.38, a 1.419 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts over 24 2/3 innings pitched.

The Orem, Utah native spent most of the 2025 season pitching at Triple-A Buffalo, where he posted a 3.18 ERA over 26 games.

Schultz was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 2019 June Amateur Draft, later being dealt to the Blue Jays organization in May 2021.