MIAMI — The Washington Nationals made a roster move yesterday in order to give third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and shortstop Felipe Lopez a day off.
The Nationals purchased the contract of utility infielder Henry Mateo from Class AAA New Orleans and designated reliever Travis Hughes for assignment.
“[Mateo] can steal a base with anyone in our organization and he can really hit left-handed pitching. He’s hitting about .360 against left-hand pitching down there,” Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. “He’s a switch hitter that we think improves our bench dramatically.”
The move comes after Damian Jackson’s three-error game Sunday in Philadelphia. With off days tomorrow and Monday, the Nationals didn’t need to carry an extra pitcher. And with baseball’s rosters expanding to 40 players on Sept. 1, the Nationals think their pitching will hold up until then.
In 113 games this year for the Zephyrs, Mateo hit .254 with two home runs and 35 RBI. Mateo leads the Pacific Coast League with 33 stolen bases and was caught just 11 times.
“It’s pretty exciting to be back again after being out for three years,” Mateo said.
Mateo, 29, has been plagued with injuries since 2004 after he had shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Meanwhile, the Nationals couldn’t afford to keep Hughes in their bullpen. The right-hander had an 6.35 ERA in eight games.
Now out of options, Hughes is a free agent. He can reject his assignment but said he probably will report to New Orleans.
In 14 games last season with the Nationals, Hughes posted a 5.54 ERA in 13 innings. But he is convinced he has the ability to pitch at this level.
“I know I can, I’ve just got to be able to calm myself down and think less is more sometimes,” Hughes said.
Escobar update
Outfielder Alex Escobar spent a second night in the hospital, receiving treatment for his infected left elbow. Escobar was taken to the hospital before Monday’s game against the Marlins when his elbow swelled up twice its original size. He had a bright red inflammation stretching all the way to his wrist.
Escobar is being treated intravenously with antibiotics.
“They are actually bringing in a specialist this evening to try to identify where the infection came from because they really don’t know where it came from,” Bowden said.
Extra bases
Catcher Brian Schneider was held out of the starting lineup last night with a bruised left toe. He is listed as day to day. Brandon Harper started. …
Catcher/first baseman Robert Fick went 1-for-4 with a run but committed an error playing first base in a rehab assignment with the Class AA Harrisburg Senators on Monday. Fick is expected to play three games for the Senators and then join the Nationals on Thursday in Atlanta.
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