Nationals claim former Blue Jay Paxton Schultz off waivers

Schultz was DFA’d on Jan. 4 after Toronto announced the signing of Kazuma Okamoto.

The 27-year-old made headlines on April 20, striking out a eight batters in his first MLB appearance, which tied the record for most punch-outs in a pitcher’s Big League debut.

Schultz spent 2025 splitting time between the Jays and their triple-A affiliate Buffalo.

In the Majors, he posted a 4.38 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 24.2 innings, while making two starts and 13 appearances. Schultz owned a 3.31 ERA over 49 innings in triple-A.