Nationals recall outfielder Rafael Bautista

The Washington Nationals recalled outfielder Rafael Bautista from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday and placed outfielder Adam Eaton on the 10-day disabled list with a left knee strain. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. A speedy, versatile outfielder, Bautista joins the Nationals for the first Major League assignment of his career. The 6-foot-2 native of the Dominican Republic comes to Washington after hitting .291 with a .325 on-base percentage at Triple-A this season. A career .293 hitter, Bautista has stolen 227 bases in his 474 minor league games, including 56 bases last season at Double-A Harrisburg. His 224 career stolen bases entering the 2017 season ranked fifth in Minor League Baseball since 2012. Rated by Baseball America as the "Fastest Baserunner" in Washington's system, Bautista joined the Nationals' 40-man roster this past offseason - after setting career highs in nearly every offensive category at Double-A. Bautista hit .282 with 12 doubles, four triples and four home runs in 2016, while posting a .344 on-base percentage. His 153 hits led the Eastern League, and his 56 stolen bases tied for the most in Minor League Baseball. Named the Eastern League Player of the Week on Sept. 4, 2016, Bautista was also the 2016 recipient of the "Bob Boone Award," which is granted annually to the Nationals minor leaguer who best demonstrates the professionalism, leadership, loyalty, passion, selflessness, durability, determination and work ethic required to play the game the 'Washington Nationals Way.' Eaton, 28, is hitting .297 with a .393 on-base percentage and a .462 slugging percentage. The center fielder has sparked the top of the Nationals' lineup, clubbing seven doubles, one triple, and two home runs in 23 games this season. Eaton has reached base safely in 20 of 23 games this season and produced eight multi-hit games.