The St. Louis Cardinals acquired right-handed reliever George Soriano from the Washington Nationals on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Andre Granillo. Soriano, who was designated for assignment by the Nationals earlier this month, becomes the fourth team for the 26-year-old this offseason. The move comes as both teams adjust their bullpens ahead of spring training.
The trade between the Cardinals and Nationals involved swapping relievers, with St. Louis receiving George Soriano and Washington getting Andre Granillo. Soriano was designated for assignment by the Nationals on February 5, after the team claimed him off waivers from the Atlanta Braves at the end of January. This marks the fourth organization Soriano has joined this winter, following designations for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles and Braves.
Soriano, who turns 27 on March 24 and is a cousin of seven-time All-Star Alfonso Soriano, has appeared in 72 Major League games over parts of three seasons, including one start. He owns a 5.95 ERA across 118 innings. In 2025 with the Miami Marlins, he posted an 8.35 ERA in 24 games, allowing 10 home runs over 36 2/3 innings while striking out 36 and walking 19. Soriano features a four-pitch mix, including an 86 mph slider and 88 mph changeup that he threw at least 30% of the time last year, along with a sinker and four-seamer in the mid-90s.
In return, the Nationals acquired 25-year-old Andre Granillo, who made his MLB debut with the Cardinals on June 12, 2025. Granillo appeared in 14 relief outings, going 1-0 with one save and a 4.71 ERA in 21 innings, recording 18 strikeouts. He held opponents to a .118 batting average in his first four scoreless appearances. At the minor league level last season, Granillo ranked ninth in baserunners per nine innings at 7.71 and tied for 12th in walks plus hits per inning pitched at 0.83. Over five minor league seasons, he compiled a 22-15 record with 31 saves and a 3.55 ERA. The Cardinals selected him in the 14th round of the 2021 Draft out of the University of California, Riverside.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Nationals placed right-hander Trevor Williams on the 60-day injured list with a right elbow sprain. Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni commented on the team's aggressive approach to roster building, stating, “More than anything, it's just another way to build a really good roster. ... We want to fight every fight on every battlefield, and this is just one of the ways that we can do it. By being aggressive, I think it's a pretty clean way to raise our floor.” The deal was announced on the eve of the Nationals' first pitchers and catchers workout in West Palm Beach, Florida.
