The St. Louis Cardinals saw one of their most familiar arms depart in free agency this week, as veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas agreed to terms with a National League rival.
The two-time All-Star has reached a deal with the Washington Nationals, marking the next chapter in a long and winding professional career. The agreement is reportedly a one-year contract, bringing Mikolas to a rebuilding Nationals club looking for stability and experience in its pitching staff.
Mikolas, 37, leaves St. Louis after several seasons as a steady, if sometimes inconsistent, presence in the Cardinals’ rotation. Over his Major League career, he has compiled a 72–75 record across 241 appearances, including 213 starts, pitching for the Cardinals, Texas Rangers, and San Diego Padres. While his overall numbers reflect ups and downs, Mikolas has been valued for his durability and willingness to take the ball regularly.
The Cardinals were never considered strong contenders to bring Mikolas back. St. Louis has spent much of the offseason focused on trimming payroll and reshaping its roster, prioritizing younger talent and long-term flexibility. With those goals in mind, retaining an aging starter did not appear to align with the organization’s broader strategy. Meanwhile, Washington saw an opportunity to add a veteran arm capable of providing innings and leadership during a transitional period.
Mikolas’ career path has been anything but conventional. He originally broke into the majors with the Padres, where he worked primarily out of the bullpen from 2012 through 2014. After struggling to establish himself as a consistent contributor, he made the bold decision to continue his career overseas in Japan. That move proved to be transformative. Mikolas refined his approach, improved his command, and re-emerged as a reliable starter, dramatically increasing his value.
His resurgence led to a strong return to Major League Baseball ahead of the 2018 season, when the Cardinals signed him during a competitive free-agent market. That year turned out to be the high point of his career. Mikolas led the National League with 18 wins and logged over 200 innings, earning an All-Star selection and establishing himself as a key part of the St. Louis rotation.
Since that standout season, Mikolas’ performance has been more uneven. From 2019 through 2025, he posted a 50–65 record with a 4.43 ERA across 172 games, nearly all of them starts. Injuries, fluctuating effectiveness, and changing team circumstances all played roles in those results, though he continued to serve as a dependable innings-eater when healthy.
In Washington, Mikolas joins a Nationals team coming off a 66–96 season in 2025. The club recently hired 33-year-old manager Blake Butera, making Mikolas notably older than his new skipper. He will compete for starts and innings alongside several younger right-handers, including Cade Cavalli, Josiah Gray, Jake Irvin, and Brad Lord. While the Nationals remain focused on development, Mikolas’ experience could provide balance to a youthful rotation as the team looks to take incremental steps forward.
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