Milone selected, LaRoche to 60-day, Rodriguez returns

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

September 03, 2011, 1:45pm

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The Nationals announced they have selected the contract of left-hander Tommy Milone from Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs and he will start Saturday night in his major league debut against the New York Mets. The 24-year old Milone went 12-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 starts this season with Syracuse. He struck out a league-best 155 batters and yielded only 16 walks in 148 1/3 innings. To make room for Milone on the 40-man roster, first baseman Adam LaRoche, recovering from shoulder surgery, was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Also, catcher Ivan Rodriguez was reinstated. Even though Rodriguez has done well in his rehab process and has been swinging the bat well without pain, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he would not start him Saturday. Rodriguez did pinch hit in the sixth, grounding into a double play. "One of my rules is they got to go through a full workout and I have to see him to do it," Johnson said. "I got to see him run around. I love reports. I love reading them all. But I trust my eyes better than I trust a lot reports." Pudge has been on the disabled list since July 8. In four games with Potomac and Harrisburg, Rodriguez hit .250 (3-for-12) with a double, one home run, one RBI and three runs scored.