Washington Nationals activate Hunter Strickland and Roenis Elías, designate Matt Grace for assignment

Ahead of the three-game weekend series with the Miami Marlins, the Washington Nationals made a few roster moves as they welcome back two of their recent trade acquisitions.

Following the birth of his second daughter, Brylee Drew, Hunter Strickland was activated from the Paternity List, taking the spot the team cleared by optioning Spender Kieboom back to Double-A Harrisburg yesterday.

Strickland has been an integral part of the bullpen since coming over from the Seattle Mariners, posting a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings with his new team and should resume his high-leverage role once again.

The Nationals also activated Roenis Elías from the 10-day Injured List. The lefty infamously strained his hamstring running to first in his Nats debut but now appears ready to truly get his tenure with the Nationals underway after throwing a bullpen recently.

To clear a spot for Elías, the Nats designated left-hander Matt Grace for assignment.

Following a standout year in 2018, Grace had failed to live up to that standard this year. This season, he held an ugly 6.36 ERA with his strikeouts down and HR/9 up from last year, generally only being used as a lefty-specialist or in blowout games to eat innings.

Despite the additions of Elías and Strickland to the bullpen, the Nationals have a little longer to wait for the return of closer Sean Doolittle, who was not included among these moves.

According to Jesse Doughtery of The Washington Post, Doolittle is set to appear for the Potomac Nationals tonight in Frederick. If all goes well, he will then likely be among the team’s call-ups on September 1st when rosters expand to the full 40.