Nationals reinstate outfielder Michael A. Taylor, recall catcher Pedro Severino

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab assignment and reinstated outfielder Michael A. Taylor from the 10-day disabled list on Sunday, and placed outfielder Bryce Harper on the 10-day disabled list with a hyperextended left knee. Additionally, catcher Pedro Severino was added to the Nationals' roster from Triple-A Syracuse as the 26th man for Sunday's doubleheader vs. the San Francisco Giants. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Taylor, 26, returns to the Nationals active roster after missing 29 games with a right oblique strain. The versatile outfielder appeared in 12 games on rehab assignment, six with Single-A Potomac and six with Double-A Harrisburg. He was 7-for-45 (.156) with two doubles, one home run, four RBI, four walks, and four stolen bases.

Taylor is in the midst of the best season of his young career, posting a .278 average with a .320 on-base percentage and .510 slugging percentage. In 72 games, he has clubbed 16 doubles, two triples, and 12 home runs, driving in 35 runs, scoring 40, and stealing 10 bases. Taking over as the Nationals' every day center fielder from April 29-July 6, Taylor hit .295, posted a .339 on-base percentage, and slugged .550.

Harper, the 2015 National League MVP, is putting together another award-worthy campaign this season. The Nationals' right fielder ranks in the top-five in the National League in OPS (2nd, 1.034), runs (2nd, 92), on-base percentage (4th, .419), home runs (T4th, 29), slugging (4th, .614), and batting average (4th, .326). He is tied for the Major League lead with 14 two-strike home runs this season, and leads MLB with 12 first-inning longballs.

Severino, 24, returns to the Nationals for his second Major League assignment of the season. The talented backstop was 2-for-5 (.400) with a double and an RBI in his first call-up of the year. Severino is hitting .238 with four doubles, a triple, five home runs, 29 RBI and 12 walks in 57 Minor League games this season.