The Washington Nationals acquired a potential bench option on Sunday, getting infielder Jorbit Vivas from the New York Yankees in exchange for minor-league RHP Sean Paul Liñan.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Nats designated RHP Griff McGarry for assignment.
Vivas, 25, made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2025, hitting .161 in 29 games. He spent most of the season in Triple-A, hitting .270 with four home runs and 43 RBI in 100 games, while playing second and third base.
Vivas is out of minor-league options, but so is Jose Tena, who seemed to have the inside track on a utility infielder role for the Nationals and has more experience at shortstop than Vivas - but both could make the team if the Nats choose to carry only four outfielders or are comfortable enough with Luis Garcia at first base to option Andres Chaparro.
Linan, 21, was 3-1 with a 3.03 ERA, one save, and 106 strikeouts in 77 1/3 innings over 19 games (15 starts) across three levels last season, spending most of his time at Class-A. He was initially with the Dodgers before being dealt to the Nats in the Alex Call trade on July 31.
McGarry, 26, was selected in last year's Rule 5 Draft from the Phillies, so any team that claims him on waivers must take on his Rule 5 status and keep him on the major-league roster all season. If he clears waivers, he must be offered back to Philadelphia for $50K, and if the Phillies pass, he can be outrighted off the roster into the Nationals’ farm system.
