The Washington Nationals can now add a new name into the mix of potential replacements at first base after agreeing to another deal on Christmas Eve.

The Nationals and first baseman Matt Mervis reportedly agreed to a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp in spring training. Jon Heyman of The New York Post first reported the news before Andrew Golden clarified the minor league and camp invite status on the newest National.

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It also marks a reunion for Mervis after being chosen by the Nationals in the 39th round of the 2016 MLB Draft when the Potomac, Md. native had just signed to play at Duke University.

“It comes as no surprise that Matt would go in this year’s MLB Draft,” said head coach Chris Pollard in a press release at the time. “He is absolutely one of the top two-way players in the country. He’s a unique combination of exceptional corner infielder and power arm on the mound. We’re excited for Matt and proud of his accomplishments.”

Mervis now heads to Washington looking to jumpstart his success in the major leagues. In 78 appearances and 261 at bats over the last three seasons between the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins, Mervis has posted just ten home runs against a 34.5% strikeout rate. He joins the organization with a career battling line of .165/.238/.322.

It’s a vastly different story from his time in the minors after Mervis moved from High-A to Triple-A in 2022 after belting 36 home runs. Mervis also once led all minor league players in RBIs in 2022 with 119, finishing the season hitting .309.

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Mervis was traded from Chicago to Miami in exchange for Vidal Brujan last offseason before being removed from the 40-man roster in June then released in August, cementing a trade where neither player was called up for their new team. He then signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks without being called into a major league game after playing with the organization’s Triple-A affiliate.

“Matt I think just didn’t quite really get it going offensively,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said last season, “and (we) just felt like it was time … to shift gears a little bit and give some other guys a chance to come up here and see if they can be a spark and help us out.”

Mervis now joins Warming Barnacle, who signed earlier this month, as candidates to take over at first base in 2026, arguably one of the biggest question marks for the organization ahead of Blake Butera’s first season as manager. Washington also returns both Andrés Chaparro and Luis García Jr. in 2026, though Garcia has primarily played second base during his career.

Maybe this is the first under the radar addition under new general manager Ani Kilambi, who has made his career growing organizations’ R&D departments after establishing success with the Philadelphia Phillies over the last four years.

The news comes days after the organization officially announced the first free agent signing of the Toboni era in pitcher Foster Griffin.