The Washington Nationals have made their second trade of the week with the New York Yankees, this one acquiring a veteran infielder for cash considerations.
The Nationals have acquired Zack Short, a 30-year-old infielder who played shortstop for the Houston Astros in 22 games in 2025.
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In his only season in Houston, he hit .200 with a .341 OBP in 112 Triple-A appearances. In his 22 appearances in the majors, Short hit .220 with a .291 OBP in 56 at-bats. Short was not invited to the Yankees’ main roster for 2026 before the trade.
Short finished 2025 with a .967 fielding percentage in his 22 Major League games in 2025. In his 70 shortstop appearances in Triple-A during the 2025 season, he finished with a fielding percentage of .962.
Short will report to Triple-A for the Nationals, joining the Rochester Red Wings. He will join 25-year-old Kervin Pichardo and 29-year-old Sergio Alcantara as primary shortstop options.
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Short has spent his last couple of years on successful teams, signing 1-year deals with the Detroit Tigers in 2023, the New York Mets in 2024, the Astros in 2025 and the Yankees in 2026. In 2024, the Mets traded Short to the Boston Red Socks for cash considerations. He was traded once more in 2024, from the Red Socks to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.
In 2026 Spring Training, Short hit .278 with a .480 OBP in 13 games and 18 at-bats for the Yankees.
The Nationals’ first trade with the Yankees came during their road Spring Training loss in the Orioles’ Camden Yards. The Nationals acquired young infielder prospect Orbit Vivas in exchange for right-handed pitcher Sean Paul Linan.
The Nationals continue to prepare for Opening Day. The Nationals take on the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, March 26th, at Wrigley Field.