Remember Zak Kent? I don't blame you if you don't. The right-handed reliever made the Minnesota Twins' Opening Day roster. Less than two weeks after the season opener, Minnesota optioned Kent to Triple-A St. Paul. In late April, the Twins designated him for assignment. The Washington Nationals claimed him off waivers.
After spending the rest of the 2026 season between the Nationals and Triple-A Rochester, Kent, 28, was designated for assignment by Washington, the team announced Thursday. The Nationals designated Kent for assignment to make room for right-hander Braxton Roxby, whom the team claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.
Zak Kent struggled with Twins, Nationals in 2026
Kent made just two appearances with Minnesota, allowing five runs (two earned) on four hits and no walks over 3 2/3 innings. The Twins claimed him off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals in February.
Kent posted solid numbers at Triple-A St. Paul, recording a 3.38 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings across eight outings. With Rochester, the right-hander recorded a 4.89 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 46 innings. He made just nine appearances with the Nationals, posting a 5.68 ERA over 12 2/3 innings.
Kent will be out of options next year, making it likely he will clear waivers. If he clears waivers, Kent could elect free agency and hope to sign a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.
The Texas Rangers selected Kent in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Virginia Military Institute. The Rangers traded Kent to the Cleveland Guardians in late March 2024 for cash.
Kent made his MLB debut with Cleveland in 2025. In 12 outings with the Guardians, Kent posted a 4.58 ERA over 17 2/3 innings while striking out 16.
Following the 2025 season, the Cardinals claimed Kent off waivers from the Guardians. The Rangers then claimed him off waivers from the Cardinals, only to designate him for assignment roughly a month later, allowing the Cardinals to claim him again. The Cardinals then designated him for assignment again, and then the Twins claimed him.
In 379 innings at the minor-league level, Kent has recorded a 4.20 ERA with 424 strikeouts. Between Minnesota and Washington, Kent threw his low-90s four-seamer 40% of the time, his high-80s slider 39%, his low-80s curveball 18%, and his sinker 2%.
The Twins definitely shouldn't claim Kent off waivers. But if he clears waivers, it wouldn't hurt to bring him back on a minor-league contract.
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