Littell is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener PJ Poulin in Sunday's game against the Brewers, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Poulin is expected pitch one or two innings before giving way to Littell, who will work behind an opener for the second time this season. The Nationals are hoping that the arrangement will yield better results from the veteran right-hander, who has an 8.37 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 23.2 innings over his last five starts.

Littell (0-4) took the loss Tuesday against the Mets, surrendering eight runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks with one strikeout across 3.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Littell has now been tagged for eight runs in each of his last three starts and has given up an astonishing 25 earned runs and 13 homers across 28.2 innings this season. Both of those numbers are the most in the league. It's fair to wonder how much longer Washington will trot out the right-hander to make starts. He gave up long balls to Bo Bichette and Juan Soto on Tuesday and now owns a hideous 7.85 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 16:11 K:BB across six appearances. His 9.06 FIP and 7.96 xERA suggest Littell has somehow pitched even worse than his numbers would suggest.

Littell (0-3) took the loss Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing eight runs (six earned) on seven hits (four home runs) and two walks in six innings. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

After serving up the second-most homers in the major leagues a year ago, Littell is being plagued by the long ball once again in 2026. The right-hander tied his career worst in homers allowed Wednesday, and he's now been tagged for multiple big flies in all but one of his first five starts of the year en route to giving up an MLB-high 11 round-trippers so far. Though the Mets rank near the bottom of the majors in homers (17) through their first 24 games, Littell still won't be a recommended fantasy option when he takes a 7.56 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB through 25 frames into his next scheduled start in Queens.

Littell (0-2) took the loss against the Giants on Friday, allowing eight runs on 11 hits and one walk while striking out four across four innings.

EDGE Analysis

It was another tough outing for Littell, who has given up two home runs or more in three of his first four starts of the season. Six of the eight runs he yielded Friday came in the third inning, highlighted by three-run homer from Heliot Ramos, and Littell was dinged for two more runs in the fourth, including a solo shot from Drew Gilbert. Littell has posted a sub-4.00 ERA in each of the last two seasons, but he's opened 2026 with a 7.11 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 19 innings. He's slated to start next week at home against Atlanta.

Littell didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out three in five innings of work.

EDGE Analysis

Littell had a solid outing Sunday, but he made three mistakes that the Brewers punished for solo home runs that cost him a chance at a win. The good news is that those were the only three runs he surrendered in the game, as he was sharp and efficient otherwise, working through five innings in just 71 pitches. That brought Littell's season ERA to 4.20 with a 1.40 WHIP, 10 strikeouts and five walks in 15.0 innings pitched. Home runs have been an early problem for the right-hander, who has now allowed five on the season so far.

Littell didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on four hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Littell coughed up three runs to the Phillies in first appearance of the season as a reliever, but he showed improvement as a starter Monday. The right-hander yielded a lone extra-base hit but was able to throw only 70 pitches, the latter of which is likely because he didn't sign with the Nationals until early March. Littell tentatively lines up to face the Brewers in his next scheduled start over the weekend, and he'll be hoping to further stretch himself out.

Littell is slated to start Monday's game against the Cardinals in Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Perhaps in an effort to manage Littell's workload after his late signing in spring training, the Nationals used the right-hander in bulk relief behind an opener in his team debut last Tuesday in Philadelphia. Littell covered five innings and 75 pitches in that appearance, so he should now be stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload Monday versus St. Louis.

Littell (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings of relief as the Nationals were downed 3-2 by the Phillies. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

After PJ Poulin worked a scoreless first inning as the opener, Littell took the mound and lasted 75 pitches (53 strikes) while serving up solo shots to Kyle Schwarber in the third inning and Adolis Garcia in the fourth. Littell didn't sign with the Nats until early March, so Tuesday's usage likely has more to do with the fact that the right-hander wasn't quite stretched out yet, rather than being a sign that he'll be used as a primary pitcher behind an opener on a regular basis. Littell is expected to make his next appearance at home early next week against the Cardinals.

Littell is a candidate to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher PJ Poulin in Tuesday's game in Philadelphia, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Nusbaum, manager Blake Butera merely grinned and said, "Poulin's starting," when asked if Littell would be involved in the Nationals' pitching plan for Tuesday, but all signs point to the right-hander making his Washington debut. After signing with Washington late in spring training, Littell built up to 2.2 innings and 64 pitches in his final Grapefruit League outing, so he likely would have been under a bit of a workload restriction if the Nationals had elected to use him as a traditional starter Tuesday. He should eventually move into the rotation once he's fully stretched out.

Littell allowed one run on three hits over three innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out two without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Facing a split-squad lineup headlined by younger players like Brett Baty and top prospect Carson Benge, Littell tossed 28 of 39 pitches for strikes in his first spring start since signing a one-year deal with the Nationals on March 8. The veteran right-hander should be able to make two more starts prior to Opening Day, which likely won't be enough time to get fully built up, but Littell would likely be stretched out enough to factor into Washington's first turn through the rotation. If he needs to be held back, Brad Lord appears to be the most likely candidate to make a spot start in Littell's place. Over a career-high 186.1 regular-season innings in 2025 between the Rays and Reds, Littell posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 130:32 K:BB.