ATLANTA — The Nationals are trading Luis García Jr. to the New York Yankees, who were in the market for a first baseman, a source confirmed to The Banner on Sunday.

The Nationals will receive four right-handed pitchers in return: Jack Cebert, the Yankees’ 11th-ranked prospect, according to Baseball America; Ben Grable, the team’s 19th-ranked prospect; Yovanny Cruz, the team’s 24th-ranked prospect; and Jake Bird.

García is in the midst of a career season for the Nationals with 23 homers and an .873 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. The Nationals helped him leverage his contact ability to do more damage — his .560 slugging percentage leads the National League. García’s average exit velocity (91.6 mph), barrel rate (12.6%) and slugging percentage are all up from last season.

As the longest-tenured National, signing in 2016 as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic, García was beloved throughout the clubhouse.

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Walking around with a smile, he would regularly chat with pitchers and position players. Because of his comfort with the Nationals, the uncertainty of being traded weighed on him.

“It is hard,” he said Friday through a translator. “I try to not pay attention to it. I try to stay away from it, keep my mind a little more calm. I’ve said this before: I love this organization. I want to stay here, and that’s all I have to say about that.”

García’s trade value likely will never be higher. President of baseball operations turned García’s breakout season into four pitchers who are all at the Double-A level or above.

The most immediate addition to the major league team will likely be Cruz. He debuted in 2026 for the Yankees and posted a 1.69 ERA with six strikeouts across 5 1/3 innings.

Cruz touched triple digits on his fastball in his major league debut. His high velocity will supplement a Nationals bullpen light on relievers who can strike out hitters — Washington has the fewest strikeouts per nine innings in the majors.

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Bird has posted a 4.90 ERA across parts of five major league seasons. The Yankees optioned him to Triple-A on July 19. His fastball sits at 94.5 mph, and he would bring experience to the bullpen if he’s called up to the majors. He struggled with command this season, but he’s shown the ability to strike out hitters and induce ground balls.

The only pitcher acquired who profiles as a starter is Cebert. Selected in the 15th round of the 2025 MLB draft, he has a 4.90 ERA at Double-A.

Since becoming a professional, his velocity has jumped to reach 95 mph. He also throws a cutter and slider. MLB Pipeline said he needs to “refine a mid-80s changeup with occasional fade to keep left-handers in check.” At 24, he’s not far from impacting the major league team.

Grable, drafted in 2025, played for bullpen coach Dustin Glant at Indiana. Across 26 games at Double-A, Grable has a 2.79 ERA.

This article has been updated.