clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Nationals recall Felipe Rivero from Triple-A; Option Matt Grace to Syracuse

The Washington Nationals announced this afternoon that they were calling left-hander Felipe Rivero back up to the majors this afternoon. Matt Grace was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the Nats' roster.

By Patrick Reddington
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Nationals' lefty Felipe Rivero was one outing into his major league career after he was called up last month when he was placed on the DL with a GI bleed. Rivero later told Washington Post writer James Wagner that the issue was a stomach ulcer "perhaps" caused by, "... his frequent use of a common over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, which he took for years in between starts when he was in the minors to help with recovery," which, "... may have thinned his stomach lining."

A surgical procedure addressed the issue, and Rivera, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays along with minor league outfielder Drew Vettleson and catcher Jose Lobaton in return for right-hander Nathan Karns in 2014, started throwing again and working his way back.

Rivero returned to action on May 19th on a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.

In five outings, the left-hander gave up four hits, two walks and two earned runs in four innings pitched in which he struck out three and put up a .267 BAA.

Washington Post writer James Wagner reported last night that Rivero would be joining the Nationals in the nation's capital for the start of a seven-game homestand which begins with tonight's matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Nats made the announcement official this afternoon, optioning Matt Grace to Triple-A Syracuse to make room on the roster. Grace, 26, gave up three hits, two walks and four runs, all earned in Sunday's series finale in Cincinnati.

The left-hander failed to retire any of the five batters he faced.

After the outing, Nationals' manager Matt Williams talked about the southpaw struggling to throw strikes.

"He's just not finding the zone enough and then when he does the ball is up," Williams said. "That was the case today."

More From Federal Baseball