Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
We start off today’s Daily with the Nationals’ latest round of September call-ups. After calling up three players when rosters expanded yesterday, the Nationals added relievers Rafael Martin and Matt Grace to the active roster today, according to a team press statement.
Martin joins the big league club for the second time of his career. The 31-year-old pitched in four games for the Nationals in April, allowing five earned runs in five innings. Martin has been solid at Triple-A Syracuse this season, going 5-5 with a 3.21 ERA and 12 saves (15 chances).
Grace has also pitched well with Syracuse this season, posting a 2.40 ERA in 28 games with the Chiefs. The hard-throwing left-hander was in the big league ‘pen earlier this season, going 2-1 with a 5.25 ERA in 17 games for the Nationals.
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With today’s call-ups, the Nationals’ active roster now stands at 30 players.
Also in today’s Daily, Scott Allen of The Washington Post discusses some interesting comments made by Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo regarding manager Matt Williams‘ controversial decisions in last night’s loss to the Cardinals.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Nationals recall RHP Rafael Martin and LHP Matt Grace
The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Rafael Martin and left-handed pitcher Matt Grace from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday in their second round of September call-ups. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.
Martin, 31, rejoins the Nationals for the second Major League assignment of his career. The rookie right hander pitched in four April games for the Nationals, working five innings and allowing five earned runs. Read full article here.
Mike Rizzo says Matt Williams did ‘a masterful job’ managing bullpen in Tuesday’s loss
(Scott Allen, Washington Post)
Mike Rizzo made his weekly appearance with Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier on 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday, and as he has all season, the Nationals GM defended Manager Matt Williams in the face of scrutiny about his bullpen management. Earlier in the day, Williams defended his decisionto go with Casey Janssen instead of Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning of a tie game on Tuesday.
Rouhier asked Rizzo if he thinks Papelbon has been used enough since he was acquired at the trade deadline.
“Well, he’s pitched in the situations that he pitches in,” Rizzo said. “He’s one of the consummate closers in the game, and when the ninth inning comes and he’s on the mound, I feel really, really good about it…” Read full article here.
Next: Potomac Nationals Midseason Update