Nationals recall Espino, designate Kuhl for assignment

By MASN Staff

Nationals

June 25, 2023, 7:18am

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The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Paolo Espino from Triple-A Rochester and designated right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl for assignment on Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Espino, 36, joins the Nationals for the first time this season after beginning the season with Triple-A Rochester. He posted a 2.12 ERA in his 23 relief appearances for Washington in 2022. In all, Espino pitched in a career-high 42 games last season, matching a career-high with 19 starts after he opened the season in the bullpen and joined the rotation on June 12. He ranked eighth in the National League with 1.91 walks per 9.0 innings (min. 100.0 IP). Espino issued just four walks in 30.1 innings across his first 21 outings and tossed scoreless relief in 16 of the 21 games (2.08 ERA).

Espino pitched in 11 games for Rochester this season, all starts. He was 3-2 with a 4.56 ERA (25 ER/49.1 IP) with 43 strikeouts. He pitched 5.0 or more innings in eight of his last nine outings and allowed three runs or less in five of his last six.

Kuhl, 30, posted an 8.45 ERA in 16 games, five starts, for Washington.