/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6354196/20120405_jel_ag5_165.jpg)
The Washington Nationals announced this afternoon that 37-year-old veteran infielder Mark DeRosa has been reinstated after a stint on the DL dealing with an oblique issue. DeRosa, who signed with the Nats this past December, had recently made a string of rehab starts with the High-A Potomac Nationals, for whom he was 1 for 11 with four walks and three K's in four games. In 13 games and 44 plate appearances in the majors before the injury, the 15-year MLB veteran has a .081/.227/.081 line with seven walks and five K's. To make room on the roster, the Nationals placed veteran outfielder Xavier Nady on the DL with what was described as "right wrist tendinitis." In 40 games and 109 plate appearances with the Nationals, Nady has a .157/.211/.275 line with three doubles and three home runs.
DeRosa's return gives the Nationals another right-handed bat off the bench and a potential fill-in for Ryan Zimmerman at third should the Nats' starting third baseman continue to have issues with his injured right shoulder. DeRosa's been out of action since April 27th, when he suffered the injury while doing drills in the outfield and aggravated it in a BP session. Nady, who signed a minor league deal in Spring Training, surprised many by making the Opening Day roster out of Spring Training.