Dickerson goes on IL with calf strain, Garrett recalled

Though he won’t undergo an MRI until later today, Corey Dickerson was already placed on the 10-day injured list this morning by the Nationals, who couldn’t afford to wait for test results on their veteran left fielder’s left calf.

Needing another healthy outfielder on the active roster for today’s series finale against the Braves, the Nats called up Stone Garrett, who arrived from Triple-A Rochester this morning and reported straight to Nationals Park.

The team is calling Dickerson’s injury a left calf strain for now, pending results of his MRI. The 33-year-old told manager Davey Martinez he first felt tightness as he jogged off the field following the top of the seventh inning of Saturday’s 7-1 loss. Not wanting to take any chances, Martinez had utility man Ildemaro Vargas take over in left field for the final two innings of the game.

“I’d rather it be a shorter stint than try to push it and it becomes a bigger issue,” the manager said.

Dickerson, who signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Nationals this winter, missed one month with a left calf strain last season while playing for the Cardinals.

Garrett was the only outfielder at Triple-A already on the 40-man roster. The 27-year-old made his major league debut last season for the Diamondbacks and hit .276 with eight doubles, four homers and 10 RBIs in 27 games before he was let go and signed by the Nats over the winter.

Garrett came to spring training competing with Alex Call and Derek Hill for the fourth outfielder’s job on the Opening Day roster but wound up losing out to Call. He reported to Triple-A, where he went 4-for-8 with two RBIs and a stolen base in his first two games for Rochester.

Though this is his first time in the majors with the Nationals, Garrett does have his experience with the Diamondbacks last season to fall back on, perhaps easing his nerves a bit as he arrives in D.C.

“Just remind yourself it’s the same game,” he said. “It’s exciting. It’s more exciting than nerve-wracking, compared to last year when you’re making your big league debut. New park, I’ve never played on the East Coast before. It’s fun.”

Garrett will be available off the bench today, with Call starting in left field. Martinez had already planned for a left field platoon of Dickerson and Call; he said Call will most likely start the majority of games in Dickerson’s absence.