Nats claim righty Armenteros, adding starter with options

Seeking more rotation depth, especially those with minor league options, the Nationals have claimed right-hander Rogelio Armenteros off waivers from the Diamondbacks.

Armenteros, 26, has only five games of major league experience (with the Astros in 2019) but has been a starter with potential throughout his professional career. He missed the 2020 season while recovering from surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow.

The Diamondbacks had only claimed Armenteros two weeks ago after Houston tried to pass him through outright waivers, only to now lose him to the Nationals.

The Nats surely aren't looking at Armenteros as an immediate part of their 2021 rotation, but they are intrigued both by his arm and the fact he still has two remaining option years. He went up and down between Houston and Triple-A Round Rock in 2019, but spent the entire 2020 season on the major league injured list and thus didn't burn up an option.

The Nationals have needed more viable rotation depth that can pitch at Triple-A Rochester but be available for quick promotions and demotions as necessary, hamstrung at times by the fact both Joe Ross and Austin Voth are out of options. (Fellow rotation candidate Erick Fedde does still have one remaining option.)

Armenteros would most likely join a Rochester rotation that also includes a couple of rookies who made their debuts this summer: Wil Crowe and Ben Braymer.

A native of Cuba, Armenteros signed with the Astros in September 2014. In five minor league seasons, he's 35-20 with a 3.45 ERA and 1.246 WHIP, striking out nearly 10 batters per nine innings while walking 3.2. He's currently pitching for Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League, where he has allowed two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.

With today's transaction, the Nationals now have 34 players on their 40-man roster.