MacKenzie Gore struggled in what may have been his final start with the Washington Nationals, surrendering six runs over 5⅓ innings in a 9–1 loss to the Astros. Despite some signs of improvement, Gore’s second-half ERA ballooned to 10.66, and with trade speculation swirling, his future in D.C. remains uncertain. While Gore admitted the chatter is hard to ignore, he emphasized focusing on his performance and controlling what he can.

Meanwhile, the Nationals leaned fully into their rebuild at the trade deadline, flipping veterans Michael Soroka, Andrew Chafin, Luis García, and Amed Rosario for four minor leaguers, including lefty Jake Eder and infielder Ronny Cruz. These moves reinforce Washington’s long-term plans and reflect their belief in a young core led by CJ Abrams, James Wood, and Brady House. Though the rebuild drags on, the front office’s recent decisions aim to restock the farm and avoid a complete reset.