Nationals recall right-hander A.J. Cole

By Josh Land

Nationals

June 18, 2017, 6:31am

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The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and placed right-handed pitcher Shawn Kelley on the 10-day disabled list with a right trapezius strain (retroactive to June 17). Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Cole, 25, joins the Nationals for his second Major League assignment of the season. The right-hander was with Washington's big league club from May 2-12 and made one start, throwing 6.0 innings of one-run ball (four walks, two strikeouts) in a 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on May 6. In Triple-A this season, Cole is 3-2 with a 5.68 ERA in 10 starts. In four starts from May 20-June 8, Cole posted a 2.81 ERA and averaged 6.1 innings per start.

Over the course of his eight-year Minor League career, Cole is 49-41 with a 3.77 ERA and he has struck out 8.4 batters per nine innings - a number he has carried over to the Major Leagues, where he has struck out 50 batters in 53.2 innings of work (8.4 K/9).

Kelley, 33, hits the disabled list for the second time this season. The veteran right-hander missed nine games earlier this season (May 2-12) with a lower back strain. In 22 appearances this year (18.0 IP), Kelley is 3-2 with four saves, one hold, and a 7.00 ERA.