Nationals reinstate right-hander Chien-Ming Wang from DL, place right-hander Ryan Mattheus on DL

By Josh Land

Nationals

May 22, 2012, 11:17am

Comments

The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang from the 15-Day Disabled List and placed right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to May 21, with a plantar fascia strain (left foot). Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Wang missed the Nationals' first 42 games, after suffering a strained left hamstring during his final Spring Training start on March 15. The 32-year-old went a combined 3-0 with a 3.52 ERA in five rehab starts with Syracuse (Triple-A), Potomac (Single-A) and Hagerstown (Single-A), posting 18 strikeouts and six walks in 30.2 innings. Wang, who is expected to pitch out of the bullpen upon his return, has posted one save and a 2.70 ERA in five career relief appearances. A two-time 19-game winner, Wang is 59-29 with one save and a 4.15 ERA in 120 games/115 starts during six seasons with the New York Yankees (2005-09) and Nationals (2011). Mattheus, 28, is 2-1 with six holds and a 2.25 ERA in 19 relief appearances this season with Washington.