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The Washington Nationals announced today that they had reinstated both left-handed starter Ross Detwiler and right-handed reliever Christian Garcia from the 60-Day DL and put them back on the 40-Man roster. Detwiler landed on the DL twice this season and ended the year (2-7) with a 4.04 ERA, a 3.66 FIP, 14 walks (1.77 BB/9) and 39 Ks (4.92 K/9) in 13 starts and 71 1/3 IP. An oblique issue and herniated disc in his lower back limited Detwiler to just 13 starts in the '07 1st Round pick's sixth MLB season.
The #Nationals reinstated LHP Ross Detwiler and RHP Christian Garcia from the 60-day disabled list. #Nats
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) November 4, 2013
Before the season ended, Nats' GM Mike Rizzo talked to reporters about the left-handed starter being part of the 2014 rotation in D.C. and part of the depth of starting pitching that could allow them to fill the rotation with in-house options rather than pursue a free agent.
"'We certainly go four deep with a healthy [Ross] Detwiler,'" Rizzo told NatsInsider.com's Mark Zuckerman. "'With the depth that we have in our young starting pitching, we could certainly fill from within.'" After a breakout 2012 campaign, Detwiler was expected to play an important role in the Nationals' rotation in 2013, and the Nats are once again counting on the southpaw playing a big part next season.
Steven Souza, Jr. (@StevenSouzaJR) has been added to the #Nationals 40-man roster, while Dan Haren and Chad Tracy have become free agents.
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) November 1, 2013
The Nationals had big plans for Christian Garcia in 2013 too. Garcia signed with Washington as a free agent in July of 2011 after the New York Yankees' prospect had two Tommy John surgeries and a separate procedure on his right elbow during his time with the organization. In 2012, the right-handed reliever had 21 saves, a 0.86 ERA, 17 walks (2.92 BB/9) and 66 Ks (7.57 K/9) in 52 1/3 IP between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse before making his MLB debut. In 13 games and 12 2/3 IP with the Nationals late in 2012, the reliever had a 2.13 ERA, a 3.73 FIP, two walks (1.42 BB/9) and 15 Ks (10.66 K/9).
There were plans early in 2013 to transition Garcia into a starting role, but an injury in Spring Training ended that experiment. A partially torn tendon in his right forearm limited the 28-year-old right-hander to just 13 1/3 IP this season.
With the addition of outfielder Steven Souza, Jr. to the 40-Man roster last week, the Nationals now have 40 players on the 40-Man.
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