Washington Nationals' Davey Johnson Says John Lannan Could Pitch In Doubleheader With Atlanta Saturday.

It's probably not the return to the majors 27-year-old left-hander John Lannan has been looking for, but according to reports out of the pre-game meeting with Washington Nationals' skipper Davey Johnson in Marlins Park this afternoon, the veteran of five major league seasons (who's been stashed at Triple-A Syracuse all year) will likely be called up on Saturday to pitch in one of two games in the doubleheader with the Atlanta Braves in Nationals Park. Lannan was thought to have won the fifth and final spot in the Nats' rotation out of Spring Training, but Washington went with 26-year-old '07 1st Round Ross Detwiler instead, making the decision at the last moment and prompting Lannan to request a trade. Though the Nationals have reportedly entertained offers for the lefty, no deal has been made yet.

"Circumstances over the winter made it much more competitive out there," Washington Nationals' manager Davey Johnson explained when he announced this Spring that Lannan would start the year at Triple-A as what the skipper described as, "... a very luxurious insurance policy." In 17 starts and 101.2 IP this season for the Nats' top affiliate, the '05 11th Round pick has a (6-8) record with a 4.60 ERA, 4.89 FIP, 38 walks (3.36 BB/9) and 57 K's (5.05 K/9):

Davey implies John Lannan will be called up to start Saturday in doubleheader vs. Braves. Under new rule, they can have a 26th player.

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) July 16, 2012

And Davey basically said John Lannan will be called up from AAA to start one game of Saturday's DH vs #Braves.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 16, 2012

• Reports out of the pregame presser also said Ian Desmond was feeling better and hoped to return to the lineup as soon as tomorrow when the Nationals return home to the nation's capital to start a three-game set with the New York Mets.