Nationals reinstate Gonzalez from DL, option Cedeno to Triple-A

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez from the 15-Day Disabled List, and optioned left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gonzalez, 28, returns to the Nationals after missing 29 games with left shoulder inflammation. He rejoins the Nationals' active roster after making two rehab starts with Potomac of the Single-A Carolina League, amassing 7.2 innings and allowing nine earned runs on nine hits and eight walks. In his final rehab start, June 12 vs. Winston-Salem, Gonzalez was touched for just one earned run off two hits, and struck out seven over four innings of work. Prior to the first Disabled List trip of his career, Gonzalez was 3-4 with a 4.62 ERA in nine Major League starts this season, spanning 50.2 innings. The 2012 Cy Young Award finalist is 35-20 with a 3.29 ERA in 73 starts since being acquired by the Nationals before the 2012 season. Cedeno, 27, tossed 1.0 scoreless inning in his most recent call-up, pitching a perfect frame against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 14. On the season, Cedeno has allowed two hits and no runs in 2.1 Major League innings.