Nationals call up Taylor and Difo; Barrett returning, too

The Nationals today added outfielder Michael A. Taylor and infielder Wilmer Difo to the expanded September roster. Taylor was recalled from Double-A Harrisburg and Difo was recalled from Triple-A Fresno.

Double-A Harrisburg tweeted out that reliever Aaron Barrett was returning to the Nationals. He was not in the clubhouse before today's game. Here is the emotional video when Barrett was told he was going back to D.C. by Senators manager Matt LeCroy:

The moment Aaron Barrett found out he was going back to the bigs. Congratulations, Aaron!
cc: @Nationals @masnNationals @MLB @MiLB @aaronbarrett30 pic.twitter.com/RSxQ1b9dMT

-- Harrisburg Senators (@HbgSenators) September 3, 2019

Barrett last pitched in the majors in 2015. The 31-year-old had to have Tommy John surgery after that season and then, while making a comeback in 2016, broke his arm and had to undergo another surgery. He has 31 saves and a 2.75 ERA this season in 50 appearances.

The Nationals will need to make a move to add Barrett to the 40-man roster.

Martinez said he would consider Taylor in center field, but also in right field with Adam Eaton on the shelf for a while with a deep bone bruise in his right knee.

"Could be (an option)," Martinez said. "Especially if the matchups are right, absolutely. I'm looking at Michael - he's actually swung the bat better the last couple of weeks. So even against lefties, I'll put him in right field."

Taylor has hit the ball well recently for Double-A Harrisburg, earning Eastern League Player of the Week honors.

"Started to feel pretty comfortable at the plate," Taylor said. "Swing feels good. Getting consistent at-bats, it's easier to get your timing and get consistent timing.

"It was great to play. It was great to get at-bats and get on the field. Felt like I kind of got my rhythm back a little bit at the plate and in the field, too. So it was a good opportunity."

Taylor struck out only five times in his last 13 games with the Senators. He said one reason he has had better plate discipline is his return to success he had a few years back at the plate when he was making better contact.

"I think getting back to my approach that I had a few years ago allowed me to make contact earlier in the counts," Taylor said. "Any time you can get to fewer two-strike counts, I think that's always good. Hitting fastballs early in the count, not fouling them straight back or swinging through them. It's a big thing for my game."

Martinez said Difo brings experience in big games for the Nats and also could be an option in the outfield.

"He's another guy that can come off the bench and pinch run, play multiple positions," Martinez said. "I know he's played third, short and second down in Triple-A. I'll mention to him as well about taking some fly balls in the outfield now that Eaton's down for a little bit. He's done it before. Both of these guys have been here before during a playoff run and been in playoffs so they get it. They understand what we are playing for and they are both excited to be back and try and help us any way possible."

One name that was not called up for September is the Nats' top prospect, shortstop Carter Kieboom. Following an early-season injury to starter Trea Turner, Kieboom got his first taste of the big leagues with 11 games. But Kieboom will head to West Palm Beach, Fla., so he can get consistent at-bats this month since Triple-A Fresno finished its season last night.

"Carter is going down to Florida and he's going to continue to get at-bats," Martinez said. "We talked about him. Obviously, he's a big part of our future, but there's no sense to bring him in to just sit him. He's going to get limited at-bats (here), not get him at-bats. He's going to go down there and play, keep in shape and if anything happens, then he's ready to go. He will play short, second base and third. The biggest thing is to keep his swing going."