Nationals add infielder Vivas, send pitcher Linan to Yankees

The Nationals haven’t stopped making moves with less than a week before opening day. The franchise added infielder Jorbit Vivas on Sunday through a trade with the New York Yankees. 

Washington sent pitching prospect Sean Paul Linan to New York in the exchange, the team confirmed. 

Vivas made his major league debut with the Yankees last season. The left-handed batter hit .161 with a home run, five RBIs, five walks and six runs across 29 appearances. 

The Venezuelan spent the bulk of last season with Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, where he ranked eighth in the Yankees’ farm system with a .389 on-base percentage.  The second baseman/third baseman was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent in 2017. He was acquired by the Yankees along with lefty Victor González as part of a deal that sent infielder Trey Sweeney to the Dodgers in 2023.

The 21-year-old Liñan went a combined 3-4 last season with a 3.03 ERA and one save in different minor league stints with the Dodgers and Nationals. The right-hander was traded to the Nationals last July in a package that sent outfielder Alex Call to the Dodgers.

To make room for Vivas on the 40-man roster, the Nationals designated pitcher Griff McGarry for assignment. Washington selected McGarry from the Philadelphia Phillies in this year’s Rule 5 draft. Philadelphia will have the option to reacquire the right-handed pitcher. 

If McGarry clears waivers and the Phillies don’t add him, the 26-year-old could return to the Nationals’ farm system.

The Nationals host the Orioles in their final exhibition game at Nationals Park on Monday afternoon. The Nationals lost to the Orioles, 8-1, on Sunday in Baltimore. They open the regular season on Thursday on the road against the Chicago Cubs. 

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This article is based in part on wire service reports.

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.