Jorbit Vivas made his major-league debut on May 2, 2025. He had a .516 OPS in 64 plate appearances. Dustin Satloff / Getty Images
March 22, 2026Updated 2:40 pm EDT
Washington Nationals brass made it clear in the final week of spring training that their roster was not necessarily set, even with 13 position players left in camp for 13 spots. There was time, they felt, to make a move on the periphery, if the right player was waived or out of options.
They found their guy, trading pitching prospect Sean Paul Liñan to the New York Yankees on Sunday for 25-year-old infielder Jorbit Vivas, according to a league source. Andrew Golden of The Baltimore Banner first reported the move.
In a corresponding move, the Nationals designated Rule 5 pick and right-handed pitcher Griff McGarry for assignment.
Vivas was out of options and not going to make New York’s roster. For the Yankees, this opens up a spot for Randal Grichuk. In theory, Vivas makes sense as a left-handed infielder off the bench on his new club — a role that José Tena was set to fill for Washington. Tena, it should be noted, is out of options.
Vivas played 29 games for New York last year, hitting .161 with a .516 OPS. According to a source, the Nationals see him at second and third base. The Nationals are expected to finalize their roster as close to Opening Day as they possibly can.
The Nationals acquired Liñan, 21, from the Los Angeles Dodgers at last year’s trade deadline.
Mar 22, 2026
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