Aaron Barrett was pitching with pain before DL stint

The move to call up top prospect Trea Turner garnered all of the attention earlier today. As part of the announcement, the Nationals placed Tyler Moore on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle and transferred right-hander Aaron Barrett to the 60-day DL with a right elbow sprain.

Barrett made his second trip to the DL this season on Aug. 8, two days after the Nationals optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse. Barrett indicated he was pitching in pain before the Nats sent him down.

"For a while," Barrett said. "Obviously, I didn't communicate it with the coaching staff. We all have aches and pains that we try to battle through. It's part of the game. I was just trying to help my team win and do the best that I could.

"They optioned me down and then I let them know what was going on with my elbow, and that's when they made the decision to put me on the DL."

Barrett says his elbow remains sore as he headed for a third opinion. Questioned on whether surgery is a possibility, the 27-year-old Barrett said, "I'm not at liberty (to say anything). All I can tell you is my elbow isn't good. I'm trying to get as much testing as possible."

Barrett, who also landed on the DL on June 12 with a right biceps strain, wasn't nearly as effective as he was last year in his rookie campaign. After posting a 3-0 record with a 2.66 ERA in 50 appearances in 2014, Barrett's ERA ballooned to 4.60 in 40 chances this season.

"It's a big part of Aaron's career and Aaron's a big part of this ballclub," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "He's a really good young, controllable bullpen arm and we want to make sure that we get it right. Since there is no time aspect of getting him back here right away, we figured we wanted to go to the best that we can and make the right decision for him that takes care of his long term future."

Barrett says he is maintaining a good spirit despite having to watch the Nats' playoff push from the sidelines.

"I'm positive," Barrett said. "It is what it is. We have games to win. I take pride in being a good teammate and all I can do is cheer these guys on. Whatever I can bring to the table to try to get this team going. We still have a lot of ballgames left. We're still in this thing and have a lot of games left. Overall my morale is good. Whatever happens, happens. I'll come out stronger whatever it is."

Moore's injury was a fluke, according to Nationals manager Matt Williams.

"He stepped on a ball in the cage before batting practice yesterday and turned his ankle," Williams said. "So one of those. He's going to be down for a few days. We just don't have the luxury to play with three guys on the bench. So we had to make a move today and get Trea here."