Nationals place right-hander Ryan Mattheus on 15-day DL, option outfielder Eury Perez to Syracuse and add to pitchers

The Washington Nationals today placed right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus on the 15-Day DL, retroactive to May 20, with a fractured right hand, optioned outfielder Eury Perez to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League, recalled right-handed pitcher Yunesky Maya from Syracuse and selected left-handed pitcher Fernando Abad from Syracuse. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Abad, 27, joins the Nationals after registering three holds and a 1.06 ERA (2 ER/17.0 IP) in 17 appearances this season with Syracuse. In 17.0 innings, Abad has allowed 17 hits, walked just two, struck out 12 and did not allow a home run. In seven May appearances, Abad scattered seven hits in 7.2 scoreless innings of relief. Abad pitched for the Astros each of the previous three seasons. In 88 career big league games/six starts, Abad owns 16 career holds and a 5.10 ERA. During his MLB career, Abad has posted a .255 batting average against and allowed just three home runs in 148 plate appearances against opposing left-handed batters. Maya posted a 1.74 ERA in his last three starts with the Chiefs to earn the promotion. The 31 year-old is 1-4 with a 5.07 ERA in eight International League starts on the season. Maya, who returns to the big leagues for the first time since 2011, is 1-4 with a 5.52 ERA in 15 career big league games/10 starts since signing with Washington as a non-drafted free agent in July of 2010. In his last outing, May 16 vs. Columbus, Maya spun 7.0 innings of one-run ball in a no-decision. In those 7.0 innings, he allowed five hits, walked two and struck out five. The 29 year-old Mattheus recorded three holds and a 4.96 ERA in 14 appearances out of the bullpen this season. He last pitched on Sunday at San Diego. Perez, 22, went 0-for-5 in five games with Washington after being recalled on May 11. Perez returns to Syracuse, where he hit .346 and swiped seven bases in 23 games prior to the promotion.