He failed to reproduce those numbers the last two seasons, though, hitting a combined .134 with five homers, a .250 on-base percentage and .526 OPS in 51 games.
Stuck in the minors all summer, Ford was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay over the weekend to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
Jesús Luzardo, the Nats’ third-round pick in the 2016 draft, starts tonight’s series opener for the Marlins against Erick Fedde.
Luzardo, who had a 1.50 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 12 innings in 2019, finished eighth in American League Rookie of the Year voting last season after producing a 4.12 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 59 innings for the Athletics.
The 6-foot-5 Cabrera possesses a 100-mph fastball and sported a 2.93 ERA and 92 strikeouts in only 61 1/3 minor-league innings this season.