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The Washington Nationals made the latest round of roster moves after today's 8-0 loss to the Miami Marlins. The Nats play two more with the New York Yankees, one in Tampa and one in D.C. before Opening Day in Nationals Park.
Early this morning, the Nationals granted veteran infielder Kevin Frandsen his unconditional release and reassigned outfielder Tony Gwynn, Jr. to minor league camp.
This afternoon, the Nats announced that they had assigned both right-handed reliever Rafael Martin and veteran infielder Ian Stewart to minor league camp.
The announcement came via the Nats' official Twitter account:
The #Nats have reassigned RHP Rafael Martin and INF Ian Stewart to Minor League camp.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 1, 2015
Martin, 30, is coming off a dominant season at Triple-A Syracuse in 2014 which saw the right-hander post a 2.70 ERA, 2.90 FIP, five walks (2.25 BB/9) and 20 Ks (9.00 K/9) in 20 IP at Double-A Harrisburg and a 0.80 ERA, 1.49 FIP, seven walks (2.25 BB/9) and 42 Ks (11.23 K/9) in 33 ⅔ IP at Triple-A Syracuse.
In 6 ⅔ IP this Spring, Martin gave up six hits and one earned run (1.35 ERA), with two walks and seven Ks in Grapefruit League action, holding opposing hitters to a combined .250 BAA.
Ian Stewart, who signed a minor league deal with the Nationals this winter, went 12 for 43 with two doubles and three home runs in 22 games in Spring Training as he fought for a spot on the Nats' bench.
So it looks like Dan Uggla is going to make the Opening Day roster? Uggla, Danny Espinosa, Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond and Yunel Escobar... and Clint Robinson or Mike Carp?
Ian Stewart and Rafael Martin reassigned to minor-league camp. It's pretty much Clint Robinson vs. Mike Carp for final bench spot.
— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) April 1, 2015
NOTE: There were also some concerns about outfielders Michael Taylor and Tyler Moore, who both left this afternoon's game early, but Nats' skipper Matt Williams told reporters after the game that they just wanted to get a look at other outfielders after Taylor and Moore have played a lot recently.
Nothing wrong with either Michael A. Taylor or Tyler Moore. Both removed after two innings because they've played a lot.
— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) April 1, 2015