Sammy Solis was placed on the DL on August 17th, retroactive to the 16th, with left shoulder inflammation.
Washington’s 28-year-old, 2010 2nd Round pick hasn’t pitched in the majors since, but this afternoon, the Nationals activated the left-hander, giving themselves another left-handed reliever in their crowded bullpen mix.
Solis threw off a mound for the first time since suffering the injury last week, telling reporters, including Washington Post writer Chelsea Janes after the throwing session that he was able to go all out without holding back.
“Just nice to get back up there,” Solis said. “It’s been a long time — longer than I anticipated. But just to be out there... that much closer to a game, it’s encouraging.”
Nationals’ Dusty Baker said that with all the relievers available now, it hasn’t been as big a problem to have Solis out, but with things about to get narrowed down for the postseason, the lefty could play an important role.
“He’s important because he’s pretty good with left and right,” Baker explained, as quoted by MASN’s Byron Kerr:
“When you got a guy that can get them both out then you don’t have to go through a pitching staff. And it’s going to be a little different later on when you’re not going to have all these reserves to call upon.
“Right now everybody has 40 men at their disposal and you can left-right, left-right but soon you’re not going to have that many. That’s where Sammy comes in.”
In 34 appearances and 38 1⁄3 IP this season out of the Nationals’ bullpen, Solis has put up a 2.35 ERA and a 2.82 FIP, with 20 walks (4.70 BB/9) and 44 Ks (10.33 K/9), holding left-handed hitters to a .200/.279/.273 line against and righties to a .224/.351/.317 line against.
As Solis noted, he doesn’t have to spend as much time building up arm strength now that he’s working exclusively in a relief role, so he’ll be able to jump back in after he worked his way back over the last few weeks, and he’ll have time to state his case for inclusion in the postseason bullpen.
Dusty Baker told reporters today that Solis is likely unavailable tonight since he threw in Viera yesterday before he was activated this afternoon.
The Nationals are currently carrying a number of lefties in the bullpen including Marc Rzepczynski, Oliver Perez, Matt Grace and Sean Burnett.
In other Nationals news:
Chris Bostick, acquired along with right-hander Abel De Los Santos in the December 2014 trade that sent Ross Detwiler to Texas, was DFA’d to make room for Joe Ross on the 40-Man roster last week and traded to Pittsburgh this afternoon in exchange for minor league catcher Taylor Gushue and cash considerations.
Bostick, 23, spent time at Double and Triple-A in the Nationals’ system this season, posting a .290/.356/.462 line with 11 doubles, eight triples and six home runs in 297 plate appearances with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators and a .203/.261/.297 line, 11 doubles, two triples and two home runs in 242 PAs with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.
Gushue, 22, is a 2014 Pirates’ 4th Round pick, who played at High-A Bradenton in the Bucs’ system this season, putting up a .226/.282/.357 line with 17 doubles and eight home runs in 359 PAs.
The Nationals have acquired Minor League C Taylor Gushue and cash considerations from the Pirates in exchange for INF Chris Bostick.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 26, 2016