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Washington Nationals add Rafael Martin, Matt Grace to beleaguered bullpen

The Washington Nationals announced two more September call-ups this afternoon, adding right-hander Rafael Martin and left-hander Matt Grace to the major league bullpen after a long night at the park last night in St. Louis.

By Patrick Reddington
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

After Matt Williams was forced to use all but two of his relievers last night -- [ed. note - "Did you notice he didn't use Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth? Why is no one talking about that?"] --  in the Washington Nationals' 8-5 loss to the Cardinals, he talked to reporters in St. Louis about having to potentially add some new arms to the bullpen for the finale of the three game set in Busch Stadium.

"We're going to see what we've got," Williams said.

He told 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s The Sports Junkies this morning that right-handers Tanner Roark and A.J. Cole will both be called up at some point in the near future, when Roark is available to return to the majors after he was optioned to the minors, and Cole when he's ready to throw again after starting recently.

This afternoon, however, the Nationals made two bullpen additions, bringing both Rafael Martin and Matt Grace back up to the majors in time for the third game of three with the Cards.

Martin, 31, made his MLB debut earlier this season, giving up eight hits and seven runs, five earned in five innings in which he walked two (3.60 BB/9) and struck out 11 (19.80 K/9).

In 56 innings at Triple-A Syracuse this season, the journeyman right-hander has put up a 3.21 ERA, a 2.57 FIP, 16 walks (2.57 BB/9) and 68 Ks (10.93 K/9).

Cardinals 8-5 on walk-off HR by Brandon Moss

 Photo © Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Grace, 26, debuted in the majors this season as well, posting a 5.25 ERA, a 3.71 FIP, eight walks (6.00 BB/9) and 10 Ks (7.50 K/9) in 12 innings.

With the Nationals' top minor league affiliate, the left-hander has put up a 2.40 ERA, a 3.14 FIP, 16 walks (2.96 BB/9) and 31 Ks (5.73 K/9) in 48 ⅔ IP.

No word yet on which relievers are/aren't available for tonight's game, but the Nationals have to hope Max Scherzer can bounce back and go deep into his outing opposite Cards' left-hander Tyler Lyons.

The Nationals did add Sammy Solis on Tuesday as well, so they now have four left-handers in the bullpen with Felipe Rivero, Matt Thornton and Grace.

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