García called up from Triple-A, Fedde and Rainey back in D.C.

In deciding who would take Victor Robles' spot on their roster, the Nationals elected not to promote another outfielder from Triple-A Rochester, nor did they call up their top prospect who only two months ago was supposed to be their starting third baseman.

The Nats' decision to recall infielder Luis García before tonight's series opener against the Reds instead of Carter Kieboom or an outfielder revealed a few things about the current state of things in the organization.

With no other outfielders on the club's 40-man roster, the Nationals would've needed to remove someone else in order to call up Gerardo Parra, who has appeared in 12 games for the Red Wings. So because second baseman Josh Harrison can double as an outfielder, they instead chose to promote an infielder.

Kieboom would've seemed like the most likely candidate, based on his pedigree and the fact that he entered spring training as the team's planned everyday third baseman. But after a miserable March in Florida, the 2016 first-round pick was demoted, and in 13 games to begin the Triple-A season he's batting only .190 with one extra-base hit.

So the Nationals ultimately decided García (batting .235 with four homers and seven RBIs in 17 games) was their best choice for now.

"We thought about Carter as well," manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame Zoom session with reporters. "But I really thought García could help us, not only playing but also off the bench as well. He also can play shortstop fairly well. ... It's also about putting eyes on him - because he's done well and he's a very important part of our future - and see where he's at."

García, who recently turned 21, made his major league debut last summer after Starlin Castro suffered a season-ending wrist injury and showed flashes of his potential. The young infielder did make the Nationals' opening day roster as one of many replacements for the nine players who had to open the season on the COVID-19 injured list.

García remains in the organization's long-term plans, which is why ultimately club officials will want him to play every day, whether in the big leagues or minors.

"Part of his growing up is maturity, and learning how to play the game every day up here at the big league level," Martinez said. "He's done well. I talked to (Rochester manager Matt LeCroy). He said he's done well. He's limiting the mental mistakes a lot down there, and he's playing really well."

Robles, who sprained his right ankle Wednesday night in Chicago, was officially placed on the 10-day IL before Sunday's game. Because they were allowed to backdate the move three days, the Nationals could conceivably get their starting center fielder back as soon as Sunday.

"He's progressing pretty good," Martinez said. "Hopefully he comes back when he's supposed to, but it still remains to be seen. I just want to make sure when he does come back, he's ready. He plays an important position for us in the outfield."

Meanwhile, both Erick Fedde and Tanner Rainey have returned to Washington, and Rainey was cleared to rejoin the club for workouts after several tests for COVID-19 over the last week came back negative.

Rainey, who had been deemed a close contact to Fedde (who tested positive last week), was scheduled to throw off the bullpen mound at Nationals Park today. If all goes well, the club could activate him in the coming days.

Fedde, who was vaccinated but remains asymptomatic after testing positive for the virus, was cleared to return to Washington from Chicago but remains quarantined for now. Once cleared, the team will decide if the right-hander is ready to jump back onto the active pitching staff or will first go to Rochester for a rehab assignment to build his arm back up.

"I'm more concerned with Fedde, 'cause he missed some time," Martinez said. "We'll see where he's at, but he might have to go and throw at Rochester in order to get him back into the routine."