Vargas goes on IL, Downs called up, Martinez back managing

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Nationals placed Ildemaro Vargas on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder strain and called up infielder Jeter Downs from Triple-A Rochester, a move precipitated in part by Luis García’s continued recovery from a tight hamstring.

With García unable to start at second base for the fourth straight day and Vargas’ non-throwing shoulder still sore after he jammed it making a diving catch in García’s place Sunday, the Nationals were thin on healthy infielders. Michael Chavis is starting for the second straight night at second base, and CJ Abrams remains at shortstop, but there were no other healthy backups for either.

So the Nationals promoted Downs today, flying the 24-year-old in from Rochester to ensure they had insurance in case anything happens to Abrams or Chavis tonight.

“Jeter can do multiple things for us,” manager Davey Martinez said. “He can play the outfield, some infield. But he can play shortstop, that’s the most important thing. If something happens to CJ, he can go out there and play some short. He’s a good addition to what we’re trying to do here.”

Downs, the onetime top prospect of the Dodgers and Red Sox who was claimed off waivers by the Nationals over the winter, impressed club officials with his work ethic this spring but was sent to Triple-A to begin the season and get regular at-bats rather than sit on the bench in the majors. He went just 2-for-19 at Rochester, so his promotion isn’t exactly based on performance but rather necessity.

García does appear close to returning from his hamstring issue. He again ran through some agility drills this afternoon and also participated in infield and batting practice with the rest of his teammates.

“He’s very close,” Martinez said. “We’re going to see how he does today. He’s definitely pinch-hit available today. We’ll see how it goes today, and we might see him out there tomorrow.”

Vargas, though, was still dealing with the effects of his jammed shoulder two days after the play occurred in Colorado. He said Monday it was painful to reach for throws and to raise his left arm too high, so the Nats decided to place him on the IL now and give him time to heal.

“He’s going to be out for a while; just a strain of his left shoulder,” Martinez said. “Only time will tell. Those things can take two weeks. They can take a little bit longer. We’ve just got to get him back and ready.”

* Martinez is back managing after missing Monday night’s game with a 24-hour stomach bug that left him watching his team’s win from the trainer’s room while he received four rounds of IV fluids.

“I felt awful,” he said. “I came to the ballpark and sat here and watched and listened to the game. I was proud of the boys. They played hard, got a bunch of hits.”

Martinez said he left all game decisions up to bench coach Tim Bogar and pitching coach Jim Hickey, not feeling well enough or engaged enough in the game to try to send word to the dugout on strategy.

“Honestly, I couldn’t communicate with anybody yesterday. I was down and out,” he said. “Whatever I had, I don’t wish it on anybody. But I’m glad the boys came out to play yesterday.”