Tigers acquire ex-Red Sox, Mets veteran shortstop in trade with Nationals

The Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals made an under-the-radar trade on Friday, sending a veteran infielder to the AL Central. 

According to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group, the Tigers have acquired shortstop Zack Short from the Nationals in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later. 

Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors reports that Short was assigned to Triple-A Toledo following the trade. 

Short, 30, can play both middle infield positions and third base. He spent parts of the first three seasons of his career with the Tigers from 2021-23, playing a career high 110 games in 2023. 

In 22 games with the Houston Astros in 2025, Short, who's never been much of a hitter, managed a .220/.291/.380 slash line with two homers and seven RBIs. 

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The New York Yankees agreed to a minor league deal with Short during the offseason, and he spent spring training with the AL East club before a trade to the Nationals. 

Trey Sweeney, McKinstry, and Javier Baez are all on the IL for the Tigers. That left breakout rookie Kevin McGonigle as the true option at shortstop before Detroit's trade for Short. 

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