Casto gets sent back to Columbus

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In an attempt to get rookie outfielder Kory Casto more playing time, the Washington Nationals optioned him to Class AAA Columbus and called up outfielder Michael Restovich after last night's 6-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium.

"I'm going down there to get at-bats and play every day," Casto said. "That's what it is. Right now, [Chris] Snelling is playing well, and that puts me on the bench. To get at-bats every day is more valuable right now for me."

In seven games with the Nationals, Casto batted .172 in 29 at-bats with one RBI.

Meanwhile, coming into last night's game against the Durham Bulls, Restovich was hitting .313 with 10 hits in 32 at-bats with two doubles and one RBI.

Restovich adds another much-needed right-handed bat to manager Manny Acta's bench.

"That will give us a chance to have some power from the right-hand side on the bench," Acta said.

Casto, who was scheduled to begin this season at Columbus out of spring training, was recalled when center fielder Nook Logan injured his left foot Opening Day and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Casto collected his first big league hit April 3 in a 9-3 loss to the Marlins at RFK Stadium. Casto called his nearly two weeks in the big leagues a "learning experience" and vowed to be better prepared when he gets called up again.

"Everybody knew that it was going to come to this once the guys on the DL returned," Casto said. "I don't know what my chances of staying were even if I would have hit .800," Casto said.

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