Washington Nationals News: Nats fortify ‘pen by recalling lefty Rivero
By Pablo Roa
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! Before tonight’s game against the Blue Jays, get caught up on all the latest Nats news with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, Jacob Emert of MLB.com and Federal Baseball’s Patrick Reddington discuss two moves the Nationals made today involving their pitching staff. As Emert notes, the Nationals called up left-hander Felipe Rivero from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned Matt Grace. The Nationals also acquired PJ Walters from the Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations, as Reddington writes in his article.
Calling up Rivero was a necessary move for the Nationals as the team’s bullpen was in desperate need of a fresh arm. The ‘pen has been used heavily in recent days and has struggled mightily, allowing 14 runs during the three-game set against the Reds last weekend.
Walters has some major league experience and could help the Nationals down the stretch, especially if the team’s injury woes continue into the summer.
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Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes discusses Ryan Zimmerman‘s offensive struggles and how he is looking to find consistency at the plate. As Janes notes, Zimmerman is dealing with plantar fasciitis but the condition hasn’t affected his playing time—he’s yet to miss a start this season.
According to Janes, Zimmerman doesn’t attribute the injury to his offensive struggles. The first baseman hasn’t done too badly at the plate as he continues to drive in runs, but his .231 batting average is well below where he wants it to be.
Be sure to check out the articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Nats fortify ‘pen by recalling lefty Rivero
WASHINGTON — Left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, the Nationals announced Monday. Matt Grace has been optioned to Syracuse in the corresponding move.
Rivero offers a fresh arm to the Nats’ bullpen, which was used in excess this weekend in Cincinnati. He made his Major League debut on April 17, allowing one earned run and three hits in one inning. Read full article here.
Washington Nationals acquire right-hander PJ Walters from Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations
(Patrick Reddington, Federal Baseball)
After announcing this afternoon that they were calling left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero up from Triple-A Syracuse and optioning Matt Grace to their top minor league affliate, the Washington Nationals also announced a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers in which they acquired right-hander PJ Walters in return for cash considerations.
Walters, 30, is a St. Louis Cardinals‘ 2006 11th Round pick out of the University of South Alabama, who has pitched for the Cards, Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins over the course of five major league seasons, going (6-10) overall and putting up a 6.28 ERA, a 5.49 FIP, 62 walks (3.67 BB/9) and 104 Ks (6.16 K/9) in 40 games, 24 starts and 152 IP. Read full article here.
Ryan Zimmerman, playing through plantar fasciitis, hunting consistency at the plate
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
CINCINNATI — Ryan Zimmerman is in the Nationals‘ lineup Sunday. No surprise there. Bench coach Randy Knorr has not filled out an oversize lineup card without his name on it yet this season.
Injuries have knocked down several other regulars for part of this season, and Zimmerman does not play untroubled. Since mid-April, the Nationals first baseman has dealt with plantar fasciitis, the chronic, painful condition that lingers even with daily treatment. For the most part, Zimmerman has played seemingly unaffected.
Friday night, Zimmerman charged around third base on a Wilson Ramos single. He dove left, right around the tag of Reds catcher Brayan Pena to score successfully. Other than occasionally slowing up long before second base on sure doubles, and sometimes hobbling noticeably back to the dugout, Zimmerman seems to be managing the injury and enduring the pain. He left the game on April 23 with pain. He played the next day, and in every game since. Read full article here.