:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50641837/usa-today-9506816.0.jpg)
Earlier this week, as Washington wrapped up a grueling stretch of 20 games in 20 days, Nationals’ skipper Dusty Baker talked about what it meant to finally get to September.
“The case is we’re getting reinforcements, and September means we’re one step closer to the finish line,” the 67-year-old veteran of 21 seasons as a manager told reporters.
“And you start checking off the months as it goes by. Now we’re down to 1/6 of the season, and it’s a countdown. It’s a countdown now. This is a big time of the year, an exciting time of the year. All games count, from the time you start the season in April, but they especially count when everybody is paying attention and the teams that I’ve been on in the past, our goal and objective was to keep the fans interested in baseball and not football and that’s the same thing I’ve got to do with my players here. Keep them — we all love football, but we’ve got baseball to play.”
With the day off yesterday, the Nationals waited until this afternoon to make the first round of moves, announcing the initial wave of September call-ups and roster moves:
#Nationals: #Nats have recalled: C Pedro Severino, OF Brian Goodwin, RHPs Trevor Gott & Rafael Martin, & LHP Matt Grace from AAA Syracuse.
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) September 2, 2016
#Nats also selected the contracts of LHP Sean Burnett & RHP Mat Latos. OF Matt den Dekker was DFA & RHP Joe Ross transferred to 60-day DL.
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) September 2, 2016
Severino and Goodwin are back up after helping out at the major league level over the last few months.
Trevor Gott, acquired from the LA Angels in the Yunel Escobar trade this winter, will make his Nationals debut whenever he gets into a game.
In 33 games for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs this season, the 24-year-old right-hander is (3-3) with a 4.35 ERA, a 3.46 FIP, 13 walks (2.97 BB/9) and 31 Ks (7.09 K/9) in 39 1⁄3 IP.
Rafael Martin has one appearances in the majors this season after making his MLB debut last season.
Matt Grace debuted in the majors last season as well, and he gives Dusty Baker another left-handed option in the bullpen, along with left-hander Sean Burnett, whose contract was selected this afternoon as well.
Burnett and Mat Latos weren’t on the Nationals’ 40-Man roster, so in order to make room, the Nats DFA’s Matt den Dekker and transferred Joe Ross to the 60-Day DL.
More info when it’s available on these and any future moves...