Washington Nationals sign former Toronto Blue Jays infielder

Infielder Orelvis Martinez has signed a minor-league deal with the Washington Nationals for the 2026 season, according to Andrew Golden of The Washington Post.

Martinez was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays and subsequently released earlier in the month.

Still just 23 years old (24 in November), Martinez ranked among the sport's top-100 prospects at Baseball America for four years from 2021-24.

The slugging infielder posted huge numbers, belting a combined 86 home runs in 1481 plate appearances from 2021-23.

His defensive home was always something of a question mark - he's spent time at shortstop, third base and second base - but Martinez's plus power and consistent production seemed to be setting the stage for a possible long-term role in the Toronto infield.

Things changed dramatically early in 2024, however, when Martinez received an 80-game ban for PED usage.

He hit well down the stretch in a small sample after returning late last season in Triple-A (.304/.360/.522 in 50 plate appearances), but the 2025 season has been a disaster.

Martinez spent the entire season in Triple-A this year and looked like a shell of his former self.

In 99 games, he took 394 plate appearances and mustered only a .176/.288/.348 batting line (73 wRC+).

His 28.4% strikeout rate tied the highest mark of his career, and he averaged just 86.8 mph off the bat with a tepid 36.8% hard-hit rate.

Though the Jays had given him plenty of run at shortstop and third base earlier in his career, he slid further down the defensive spectrum in '25 and spent the vast majority of his time at second base (79 games) and designated hitter (14) with only a handful of appearances at the hot corner.