Nats select the contract of Schierholtz, Taylor optioned to Triple-A (plus lineup)

The Nationals didn't wait long before bringing Nate Schierholtz up to the big leagues. Signed to a minor league contract just five days ago, Schierholtz will be in uniform for the Nats this afternoon. The team has selected the contract of the 30-year-old outfielder, with Michael A. Taylor getting optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to clear a spot for Schierholtz. In order to open up a spot on the 40-man roster, Nate McLouth has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list. McLouth underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder yesterday to repair a torn labrum. Schierholtz went 3-for-19 with a homer, four RBIs and six strikeouts in four games for Triple-A Syracuse after getting inked to a minor league deal on Monday. He will provide an experienced, left-handed bench bat to a team that has been without a strictly left-handed-hitting reserve since McLouth landed on the DL a couple of weeks ago. Danny Espinosa and Jose Lobaton both are switch-hitters, but Schierholtz now provides more of a left-handed presence. Schierholtz hit 21 homers for the Cubs last season, and is a .289 career pinch-hitter. He struggled this season, however, and was released by the Cubs after hitting .192 with a .541 OPS in 99 games. Taylor hit .167 (3-for-18) in seven games with the Nats. His major league debut was one to remember, as the 23-year-old went 2-for-4 with a homer in a win over the Mets at Citi Field. The Nats went 10-2 during Taylor's time on the active roster, so he got to experience quite a ride in his first big league stint. He will almost certainly return when rosters expand on Sept. 1. For the Nationals CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond LF Bryce Harper C Wilson Ramos 2B Asdrubal Cabrera RHP Jordan Zimmermann