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Nationals Update: Denard Span to 7-Day DL; Blake Treinen, Steven Souza, Jr up from Triple-A

There was some bad news for Denard Span today. The 30-year-old outfielder suffered a concussion after colliding with Braves' infielder Dan Uggla last night. There was good news from the Nationals though. Blake Treinen and Steven Souza, Jr were called up...

By Patrick Reddington
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sport

There were several new faces in the visiting clubhouse at Turner Field when reporters arrived this afternoon.

A press release and several tweeted announcements from the Washington Nationals have made all the news official:

Treinen, 25, is a 2011 7th Round pick by the Oakland Athletics acquired along with A.J. Cole and Ian Krol last winter in the three-team deal that sent Michael Morse to the Seattle Mariners.

Pitching predominantly at Double-A Harrisburg in the Nats' organization in 2013, the hard-throwing right-hander posted a 3.64 ERA and a 3.67 FIP, with 33 walks (2.50 BB/9) and 86 Ks (6.52 K/9) in 21 G, 20 starts and 118 2/3 IP. Treinen was a surprise contender for a spot in the Nats' pen this spring when he gave up 15 hits, three walks and seven runs, five earned in 9 2/3 IP before he was reassigned.

The righty made one start for Triple-A Syracuse so far this season, giving up three hits in five innings of work.

Nats' skipper Matt Williams told reporters this afternoon that Treinen gave the Nationals some "length":

Steven Souza, Jr., 24, and an '07 Nationals' 3rd Round pick, put together a big season at Double-A Harrisburg in 2013, posting a .300/.396/.557 line with 23 doubles and 15 HRs in 77 games and 273 plate appearances in his seventh season with the organization. He talked about the possibility of getting to make his major league debut in 2014 this past winter:

"It's really exciting is all I can really explain. From a couple years ago to maybe being let go from the team to where God's brought me here. It's really just humbling and it's really just exciting to think about I can have a chance to help this team basically just win a World Series."

FBB's Recommended Souza Material:

Steven Souza's long road to Spring Training 2014 Nats' Asst. GM Doug Harris on Souza and more

In addition to those moves, the Nationals also placed outfielder Denard Span on the 7-Day DL with a concussion which apparently resulted from his collision on the basepaths with Braves' second baseman Dan Uggla last night. Span singled to drive in a run in the eighth and with a lot of movement in the infield, he and Uggla collided as the Nats' center fielder and leadoff man made his way to second.

Reports from Atlanta today are saying that Span had a headache last night and today and failed a test, showing symptoms of a concussion, which is not good news for the 30-year-old outfielder who missed significant time with the Minnesota Twins a few years back after suffering a concussion on a play at the plate:

The WaPost's James Wagner reported on Twitter this afternoon that Matt Williams said Span was checked out during the game:

In addition to all of the above, Jayson Werth left last night's game with what was initially described as a tight groin, and Williams said today he would prefer to avoid using the veteran outfielder tonight though Werth is available.

Souza, Jr. was already on the Nationals' 40-Man roster, after he was added last November to protect him from selection in the Rule 5 Draft. To make room for Treinen on the 40-Man, the Nats placed IF/OF Jeff Kobernus on the 60-Day DL with a fracture of his left hand.

The Nationals and Braves play the second game of a three-game weekend set at 7:10 pm EDT tonight.

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