Rangers acquire LHP MacKenzie Gore from Nationals

Field Level Media
23 Jan 2026, 04:49 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

The Texas Rangers acquired All-Star left-hander MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals on Thursday.

The Nationals received five of the top 20 prospects in the Texas organization in exchange for Gore, including infielder Gavin Fien, the No. 12 overall pick of the 2025 MLB Draft.

Right-hander Alejandro Rosario, first baseman/outfielder Abimelec Ortiz, shortstop Devin Fitz-Gerald and outfielder Yeremy Cabrera are also included in the deal.

Trading Gore represents the first major roster move by new Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni.

Gore, who turns 27 next month, posted a 5-15 record with a 4.17 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 159 2/3 innings last season. He was named the Nationals' Opening Day starter in 2025, a game in which he struck out 13 batters and allowed just one hit over six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Gore is 26-41 with a 4.19 ERA in 105 career appearances (102 starts) with the San Diego Padres and Nationals. He was selected by the Padres with the third overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft before being traded as part of the blockbuster Juan Soto deal on Aug. 2, 2022.

Gore will make $5.6 million this season and is under club control in 2027.

Fien, 18, was ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Texas organization by MLB Pipeline. He played in 10 games last season at Single-A Hickory and went 9-for-41 (.220).

Rosario was ranked No. 6 by MLB Pipeline. Fitz-Gerald was No. 12, Cabrera was No. 16 and Ortiz was No. 18.

--Field Level Media

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