Nationals activate Storen, recall Leon, disable Solano; Ankiel designated for assignment

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Drew Storen from the 15-Day Disabled List, recalled catcher Sandy Leon from Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League, placed catcher Jhonatan Solano on the 15-Day DL (retroactive to July 18) with a left oblique strain and designated outfielder Rick Ankiel for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Storen began the season on the DL and missed the Nationals' first 89 games after undergoing a procedure to remove bone chips from his right elbow during Spring Training. The 24-year-old logged 6.2 innings during six rehab appearances with Harrisburg and Potomac (Single-A). During his sophomore season in 2011, Storen went 6-3 with three holds, 43 saves and a 2.75 ERA in 73 appearances. He ranked among the NL's top relievers for saves (tied for fourth), wins (tied for fifth) and save percentage (89.6, tied for sixth). Selected by Washington in the first round (10th overall) of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, Storen is 10-7 with 13 holds, 48 saves and a 3.10 ERA in 127 career relief appearances. Leon, 23, returns for his second stint with the Nationals. He made his MLB debut with Washington on May 14 at San Diego, but after a fourth-inning collision at home plate was removed from the game and placed on the DL with an ankle injury. Leon batted .313 with 15 extra-base hits, 22 RBI and a stolen base in 45 games with Harrisburg and Auburn (Single-A). He posted a .311 batting average with 12 doubles, a home run, 19 RBI and a stolen base in 40 contests at Double-A. Solano has batted .314 with three doubles, two homers, six RBI and a stolen base in 12 games with Washington. The 26-year-old has thrown out 38 percent (3 of 8) of would be basestealers. Ankiel, 32, batted .228 with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 15 RBI and a stolen base in 68 games with Washington this season.