Voth, McGowin rejoin bullpen; Guerra, Stevenson off roster

An ever-changing Nationals bullpen saw the return of two familiar right-handers today, with both Austin Voth and Kyle McGowin activated off the injured list. And an ever-changing Nats roster saw the departures of two familiar faces as a result, with Javy Guerra designated for assignment while Andrew Stevenson was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.

The transactions, announced about 90 minutes before today's series finale in Milwaukee, give the Nationals a couple of moderately experienced arms, in Voth and McGowin, to help out in a very inexperienced bullpen.

Voth hasn't pitched in the majors since landing on the COVID-19 IL along with Trea Turner, Daniel Hudson, Alex Avila and a majority of the Nationals coaching staff July 29. Though he was deemed healthy and cleared to return 10 days later, the right-hander needed to build his arm back up again. He was sent to the club's spring training site in West Palm Beach, Fla., to begin that process, then made two appearances for Rochester, tossing three scoreless innings.

Voth had ascended to a prominent role in the bullpen this summer and entered the All-Star break with a 3.35 ERA before getting roughed up in three late-July appearances. The Nationals will hope he can recapture the earlier form and help pitch meaningful innings the rest of the season.

"We'll see how it goes, but he's had a really good year for us," manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame Zoom session with reporters. "He's done a lot: long relief, coming into high-leverage situations. I explained to him the situation we're in, he's probably going to have to pitch the sixth, the seventh, the eighth inning, who knows? Just be ready."

McGowin had a 4.56 ERA in 22 appearances prior to landing on the 10-day IL on July 11 with a right biceps strain. The 29-year-old pitched well in nine rehab outings for Rochester, allowing just one earned run while striking out 10.

Deciding that Guerra would be designated for assignment, while difficult for Martinez, became increasingly necessary as the 35-year-old struggled mightily in his latest stint with the club. An effective and highly popular member of the 2019 World Series bullpen, Guerra remained in the organization since but had just endured through a disastrous stretch in which he gave up runs in five of six appearances. That included an eighth-inning meltdown Saturday, capped by a grand slam by Christian Yelich, that ballooned Guerra's ERA to 16.50.

"Very tough," Martinez said of his conversation with Guerra this morning. "I talked with him a bit. He's got some decisions to make, obviously, but we're going to miss him. I build these relationships with these guys ... and he's a veteran guy that's not only on the field but does a lot in the clubhouse as well. It was tough, but we had to make a move to get Austin back here. And he understood. But it's always tough losing a guy like Javy."

Stevenson, meanwhile, heads back to Triple-A after seeing his playing time diminish in recent weeks with the emergence of Yadiel Hernandez as the regular left fielder and Lane Thomas as the Nationals' primary backup in both left and center fields.

The 27-year-old is batting only .215 with a .272 on-base percentage and .580 OPS across 164 plate appearances this season. He did remain a highly successful pinch-hitter, batting .344 (11-for-32) with two walks and two homers.

Note: Bullpen catcher Brett Austin has left the organization to become a member of the coaching staff at North Carolina State. Needing someone to take his place, the Nationals are using veteran Triple-A utilityman Brandon Snyder, who is with the club on the road trip as a member of the taxi squad.

This switch comes after bullpen coach Henry Blanco has shifted to Martinez's bench coach while Tim Bogar recovers from back surgery. Double-A pitching coach Sam Narron has been filling in as bullpen coach.