Trevor Gott recalled from Syracuse, Wilmer Difo sent down

With the bullpen laboring through a couple of rough games, the Nationals made a roster move today and called up right-hander Trevor Gott from Triple-A Syracuse.

With Gott arriving, the Nats sent infielder Wilmer Difo to Syracuse.

Gott said he got through a couple of tough games at the beginning of the season, but now is into a nice rhythm. Gott has been solid since May 1 with the Chiefs with a 2.37 ERA and 20 strikeouts.

"Yeah, it's going well," Gott said. "I had a couple of rough ones in the beginning but after that, settled in. My stuff was good and it was getting people out. Just trusting the process and it's worked out."

The Nationals placed right-hander Koda Glover on the disabled list Sunday with lower back stiffness.

Baker said he spoke to Difo about the move, but didn't want to share those details.

"I can't tell you that. That's between me and Wilmer," Baker said. "So just told him, in essence, go out there and play, play your butt off, and he'll be back."

Baker said the choice of Gott was an obvious move because the club was down an arm in the bullpen. Plus, the bullpen hasn't had every arm available recently, so a fresh arm was necessary.

"You know we're in a consecutive streak of days and you know like yesterday we didn't have a couple guys available," Baker said. "We didn't have (Enny) Romero, we didn't have (Matt) Albers, and so it's really kind of hurting us not to have that off-day on the 8th (of June).

"But I kinda knew that from my history and past that what suffers first is probably your bullpen and then secondly your position players. So it was a tough decision. We didn't want to send Difo out, but we needed an arm and I hear he (Gott) was throwing the ball pretty good."

Gott said the sinker has done a nice job of dropping down at just the right moment.

"Yeah, it's a lot better than it was last year," Gott said. "I feel a lot healthier and stronger."

Gott couldn't explain why this pitch was so much better this season versus 2016. He pitched in 48 games for the Angels in 2015, but only nine with the Nats last season.

"I'm not sure. I think it just happens," Gott said. "Sometimes you go through periods where you don't have your stuff and you have to get through it.

"Didn't happen at a great time last year, but everything works itself out."

The 24-year-old Gott spent 33 games with Syracuse last season as tried to find a way back to the majors. He pitched with the Nats as a September call-up in 2016.

"I mean, yeah, it's hard when you're not where you want to be," Gott said. "You just got to deal with it, keep grinding and work through it. I'm here now so everything worked itself out."

The bullpen struggles for the Nationals have been talked about since the beginning of the season. But Gott didn't pay close attention to their situation as he focused on improving at Triple-A.

"I wasn't paying attention to it," Gott said. "You hear everything, but I was more so worried about my stuff (and) where it needs to be so when I get my chance, I'm ready."