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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Paxton Schultz, who was designated for assignment Sunday when Kazuma Okamoto's contract with the Toronto Blue Jays became official, was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals.
Schultz, 28, made 13 appearances for the Blue Jays as a rookie in 2025. The right-hander posted a 4.38 ERA and 1.419 WHIP across 24.2 innings. He's been used primarily as a starting pitcher and a multi-inning reliever in five professional seasons.
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Schultz did not appear in the postseason during Toronto's march to the World Series.
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The rebuilding Nationals might be able to find a place in their rotation for Schultz behind MacKenzie Gore, Cade Cavalli and Brad Lord. They could also stash him in a bullpen that lacks an established pecking order going into 2026.
As noted by Andrew Golden of the Washington Post, Schultz also has two option years remaining, so he might just as easily begin the season in Triple-A if he does not claim a 26-man roster spot in spring training.
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Schultz walked only one right-handed batter during his major league cup of coffee while striking out 12. Yet he also allowed three of his four home runs to same-handed batters. Against lefties, he struck out 16 of the 57 batters he faced, but also walked seven.
According to Statcast, Schultz throws a four-seamer that averaged 93.8 mph in addition to a cutter, changeup and slider.
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Schultz reached Triple-A for the first time in 2023, and was was 5-4 with a 3.31 ERA in 25 games for the Buffalo Bisons in 2025. He had an outstanding 1.102 WHIP for the Blue Jays' top farm team.
The Blue Jays acquired Schultz from the Milwaukee Brewers as the player to be named later in a deal that sent outfielder Derek Fisher to Milwaukee in February 2021.
A native of Orem, Utah, Schultz was originally drafted in the 14th round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Brewers out of Utah Valley University.
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