​Foster Griffin had plans to go to the beach with his wife and kids for the near-week long break in the 2026 regular season until midway through Saturday’s loss against the New York Yankees. Shortly after, Griffin was officially announced as the third Washington National in the 2026 MLB All Star Game, replacing Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcroft on the roster. Griffin took full advantage of it, too.After taking the mound in the top of the fifth, the Nationals’ ace posted a 1-2-3 inning on just ten pitches. Griffin opened the frame by striking out Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz on three pitches, then striking out Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler after an 83 mph changeup ended a five pitch at-bat. Griffin’s inning ended after Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas lined out two pitches into the at bat, living up as the highlight of the Nationals’ trio after CJ Abrams and James Wood combined for three strikeouts in the National League’s 4-0 win.Yet with the chance to head to Philadelphia, Griffin and his family “quickly pivoted” as Tuesday marked a chance to suit up in the MLB All Star Game one year after being named an All Star in the Nippon Pro League in Japan.With a chance to become the third-ever player to do it after 30 year old, Griffin has now materialized into a possible Rookie of the Year selection at the break, even if they’re longshot odds to St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt. Yet for a group of arms that has posed concerns out of the rotation, bullpen and closing spot through 97 games, Griffin has been the stabilizer for the Washington Nationals.Griffin ranks top ten in the league in both wins and WHIP with 109 strikeouts paired with a 2.77 ERA, evidence of the chance for Griffin to rejuvenate his career.”They gave me that opportunity and put some faith in me to come in and take a spot in the rotation,” Griffin told Alex Flum. “I wanted to take it and run with it and I feel like so far, I’ve been able to do that and try to just pitch good games for the Nats and give them as much chances to win as I can.”The bigger question is whether Griffin remains with the Nationals through the trade deadline — or even beyond. After signing a one year deal worth up to $5.5 million to become arguably one of the best free agent signings over the offseason, Griffin has remained a hot name in the trade market with uncertainty whether he sticks with the organization beyond 2026.”Ultimately that’s not up to me. At this point in time I’m a pitcher for the Nats,” Griffin said pregame. “Nothing has been approached to me as of yet. I’m open to anything, honestly. I have an agency that will take care of all that. We’ll see where the rest of the year takes me.”Nationals Roundtable also offers a fan community. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Nationals. Create an account, click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our free community and follow for all of our coverage, analysis