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Washington Nationals reportedly calling Abel de Los Santos up from Double-A Harrisburg

The Washington Nationals will reportedly call 22-year-old right-hander Abel de Los Santos up from Double-A Harrisburg to pitch out of the bullpen in the majors. de Los Santos was acquired from the Texas Rangers in the Ross Detwiler deal this winter.

By Patrick Reddington
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Nationals' General Manager Mike Rizzo spoke to reporters at NatsFest this past December about the then-recently completed 2-for-1 deal that sent 2007 Nationals' 1st Round pick Ross Detwiler to the Texas Rangers in return for infield prospect Chris Bostick and right-handed relief prospect Abel de Los Santos.

"[Abel] de Los Santos is a starter-made-reliever and since he's gone to the bullpen his velocity and stuff has spiked. Had a terrific year last year and we think that he'll come really quickly." -Mike Rizzo on Abel de Los Santos

"They were both seen on multiple occasions this year and throughout their careers," Rizzo said.

According to a report by NatsInsider.com's Mark Zuckerman on Sunday night, citing a "a source with knowledge of the transaction," one of the two prospects is going to be called up today.

Zuckerman reports that de Los Santos, 22, will join the Nationals' bullpen on Monday, though he notes that there is no information on a corresponding move and someone will have to be removed from the 40-man roster before the Nationals, "can officially purchase the reliever’s contract and bring him to the major leagues."

"[Abel] de Los Santos is a starter-made-reliever and since he's gone to the bullpen his velocity and stuff has spiked," Rizzo said after the deal.

"Had a terrific year last year and we think that he'll come really quickly."

de Los Santos spent the majority of his 2014 campaign in the Class-A Advanced Carolina League with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, going (5-2) with eight saves in 33 appearances over which he put up a 1.97 ERA, a 2.93 FIP, 17 walks (3.35 BB/9) and 53 Ks (10.45 K/9) in 45 ⅔ innings pitched.

The Nationals noted in their press release on the trade that de Los Santos did a good job against left-handed hitters and, "surrendered just 14 hits, while strike outing 35 of the 85 lefty batters he faced."

Potomac Nationals' skipper Tripp Keister, who managed against both Bostick and de Los Santos, told Baseball America's Lacy Lusk he was impressed with the return the Nationals received on Detwiler.

de Los Santos, Keister told the BA writer, has a "really big arm," a mid-to-high 90s fastball and he, "'... showed some flashes of a really good breaking ball.'"

In 26 games at Double-A Harrisburg this season, de Los Santos is (4-4) with a 2.65 ERA, 2.68 FIP, seven walks (1.69 BB/9) and 35 Ks (8.44 K/9) in 26 games and 37 ⅓ innings pitched.

• Check out a scouting report on de Los Santos from Senators' pitching coach Chris Michalak, who spoke to PennLive.com's Mick Reinhard about the pitching prospects at Double-A in the Nationals' system recently:

More info when it's available...

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