Nats recall rookies Michael A. Taylor and Sammy Solis

ATLANTA - It didn't take long for prized Nationals rookie Michael A. Taylor to make it back to the big leagues. The 24-year-old was the Nationals' opening day center fielder and leadoff hitter. He validated the hype in his first 12 games, hitting .271 with two homers, three doubles, one triple and eight RBIs.

Taylor is considered a rare prospect possessing dynamic speed as well as above-average power. He has battled issues with discipline at the plate, and his 19 strikeouts were among the league leaders before being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse when the Nationals activated center fielder Denard Span from the disabled list on April 19.

In Syracuse, Taylor's bat remained hot, as he hit .385 (10-for-32) in eight games with a homer, a double and four RBIs. The debate on Taylor has always been whether he should remain in the minors, where he'll get consistent at-bats to improve his plate approach, or to have his talents available on the Nats bench to add pinch-hitting pop and to serve as a backup for Span and left fielder Jayson Werth.

Taylor's opportunity comes at the expense of veteran outfielder Reed Johnson heading to the 15-day disabled list with a left calf strain. The 38-year-old, in his first year with the Nats, came through with a pinch-hit RBI double in the seventh inning of last night's comeback win. Unfortunately, Johnson was injured on the play, and after the game, manager Matt Williams feared Johnson could miss extended time.
 
"He felt it when he came out of the box," Williams. "He had a big pop. And when he got out to second, it was starting to subside and then he had to dive back into second base again and he couldn't go any further. It's not like it is a little strain. He was really having trouble moving."

Johnson has experienced issues with left foot and lower leg previously in his career.

It's possible the Nationals could also see a fifth pitcher making a major league debut this month after recalling left-hander Sammy Solis from Double-A Harrisburg.

The imposing 6-foot-5 rookie is coming off his first big league spring training with the Nationals after coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2012. Solis, the highest-ranked southpaw in the Nats farm system, is 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three games for Harrisburg this season.

To make room for Solis, the Nats optioned last night's starter, A.J. Cole, to Syracuse. Cole, 23, had a major league debut that was quite a memorable one from start to finish. But the Braves shelled the talented right-hander for nine runs (four earned) on nine hits in just two innings.

"First time in the big leagues and it doesn't go your way," Williams said. "It's not fun. But it lets him know that he's got to throw the ball where he wants to. He's gotta change speeds, he's gotta throw strikes, he's gotta throw the ball down in the strike zone.

"It's not the debut he wanted by any stretch, but it's a good learning experience too."