Washington Nationals avoid arbitration with injured pitcher

The Washington Nationals completed one of their arbitration goals Thursday when they announced an agreement to a one-year contract with veteran pitcher Mason Thompson.

The agreement means both sides will avoid any arbitration issues this year.

Thompson was unable to play in 2024 due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. The surgery took place last February, so it’s likely the right-hander will be ready to pitch at the Nationals at some point next season.

In most cases, recovery takes 12 to 18 months.

Thompson was eligible for arbitration based on his length of service. But after missing a full season due to injury, he and his agent were unable to negotiate. The one-year deal gives Thompson some security and gives Washington a chance to see what he can do after surgery.

Terms were not disclosed.

Thompson joined the Nationals at the 2021 trade deadline when he and Jordie Barley were traded from San Diego in exchange for Daniel Hudson. Thompson quickly found his feet and made 27 appearances for Washington, striking out 21 hitters in 21.2 innings and finishing with a 4.15 ERA.

He planned to work full-time in the bullpen in 2022. But a biceps injury in May forced him to miss two months. After his return, he recorded his first major league save in September and finished with a 2.92 ERA with 15 strikeouts and a save in 24 appearances.

Thompson finally escaped injury in 2023, but his ERA rose to 5.50 in 51 appearances, including 44 strikeouts in 54 innings.

The 26-year-old began his professional career in San Diego after being selected in the third round of the 2016 Major League Draft out of Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas. After deciding to play baseball for Texas, he signed a $1.75 million bonus and began his professional career.

He came through the Padres’ minor league system and did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Padres added him to their 40-man roster after the 2020 season.

He made his Major League debut for San Diego on June 20, 2021, recording one game against the Los Angeles Dodgers and earning a hit in the process. Ten days later, the Padres shipped him to Washington for a trade.

He is 6-8 in his career with a 4.53 ERA and two saves.