Nats recall lefty Rivero, option Jordan to Triple-A

By Josh Land

Nationals

April 16, 2015, 10:10am

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The Nationals shuffled their bullpen again this afternoon, recalling left-hander Felipe Rivero from Triple-A Syracuse and optioning right-hander Taylor Jordan to the Chiefs to create a spot on the 25-man roster.

Rivero, 23, will be making his major league debut in his first appearance. He was acquired in the February 2014 deal that sent right-hander Nathan Karns to Tampa Bay, a trade that also netted the Nats catcher Jose Lobaton and minor league outfielder Drew Vettleson.

A hard-throwing Venezuelan, Rivero was transitioned to relief after making 14 starts across three levels of the Nationals organization in 2014. Last year, he went 2-7 with a 3.35 ERA, 19 walks and 50 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings. In three relief outings for Syracuse this season, Rivero was 0-1 with a 10.12 ERA.

He was ranked as the No. 18 prospect in the Nationals system by Baseball America entering the 2015 campaign, but the second-best left-handed pitching prospect. His addition gives manager Matt Williams two left-handers in the bullpen.

Jordan joined the Nats on Wednesday in Boston when right hander Craig Stammen went on the 15-day disabled list, but did not pitch.