In case you missed the announcement early Saturday morning, MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported in a blog post entitled, "Nationals to call up pitchers after Monday's game", that after the Nats' Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs, complete their 2010 schedule on Monday afternoon with a 1:05 pm EST game against the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Nationals will bring left-handed starter Ross Detwiler and right-handed pitchers Yuneski Maya and Collin Balester to the nation's capital to join the Nats' expanded roster. Detwiler's made 10 starts at three levels of the Nats' system on a rehab stint following surgery to repair a torn right hip flexor. (3-2) in 10 G and 43.2 IP, Detwiler's struck out 39 and walked 9 while pitching for the Class-A Potomac Nationals, Double-A Harrisburg Senators and most recently the Chiefs. In a September 2nd start, the 24-year-old left-hander walked 1 and K'd 2 in 5.0 IP in which he surrendered 5 hits and 3 runs, 1 earned.
Yunesky Maya has been building arm strength in the Nats' system since he officially signed on July 31st. The 29-year-old right-hander, who celebrated a birthday on August 28th, has given up 18 hits, 10 runs, 8 earned and 10 walks over 5 starts and 21.1 IP in which he's struck out 18 and held opponents to a .225 BAA.
Balester, 24, an '04 4th Round pick by the Montreal Expos, has struck out 12 batters in 7.2 IP with the Nats this season as he's bounced up and down between Triple-A Syracuse and DC, and he's (3-3) on the year in Syracuse, having struck out 50 (6.61 K/9) and walked 31 (4.10 BB/9) in 68.0 IP for the Chiefs.
Also of note, Mr. Ladson mentions in the article that if Nyjer Morgan misses a considerable amount of time, which he most likely will with 15 days from two suspensions currently under appeal, the Nats are expected to give 26-year-old outfielder Justin Maxwell playing time in center for the Nats. After struggling at the plate all season, Maxwell's shown signs of life with 3 hits (2 doubles) in his last 6 at bats. Considering he'll turn 27 in November, the Nats need to get a good look at Maxwell over the last month. In 45 games and 70 AB's with the Nats, Maxwell's put up a .143/.307/.271 slash line, he's got a lot to prove.