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The Washington Nationals announced this afternoon that they recalled left-hander Xavier Cedeno from Triple-A Syracuse while optioning right-hander Blake Treinen back to the their top affiliate.
Cedeno entered Spring Training as the frontrunner for the role of the second left-hander in the Nationals' bullpen.
The acquisition of Jerry Blevins in a deal with the Oakland A's gave the Nationals options. The decision to move Ross Detwiler into the bullpen resulted in Cedeno being optioned out to Triple-A to start the season, however.
Cedeno was coming off a strong season in the organization in which he bounced up and down between the majors and the minor leagues before getting a chance to show what he could do in September.
The #Nats have recalled LHP Xavier Cedeno & optioned RHP Blake Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse: http://t.co/RAut1M5l4P
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 18, 2014
In nine appearances for the Nats in the final month of the season, Cedeno gave up just one earned run in 4 2/3 IP, putting up a 1.93 ERA and a 0.90 FIP, with no walks and five Ks over that stretch.
On the year with the Triple-A Chiefs, the 6'1'' lefty was (2-0) with four saves, 16 walks (4.19 BB/9) and 45 Ks (11.80 K/9) in 34 1/3 IP over which he had a 1.31 ERA and a 2.82 FIP.
In 3 2/3 IP scoreless at Triple-A this season, the 27-year-old southpaw walked one and struck out four before getting another call up to the big leagues today.
Blake Treinen, 25, made three appearances after getting called up last week to help out an already beleaguered Nats' bullpen. In 6 2/3 IP, the right-hander put up a 1.35 ERA, a 1.85 FIP, two walks (2.70 BB/9) and seven Ks (9.45 K/9) before he was optioned out today.