Nationals recall Treinen, option Barrett (with lineups, updated)

The Nationals look for a series split with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Thursday's late afternoon tilt.

The club announced prior to the game that right-hander Blake Treinen has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. Right-hander Aaron Barrett, who took the loss Wednesday night, was optioned to Syracuse to make room for Treinen, who has had five scoreless appearances with the Chiefs.

Treinen recorded 14 strikeouts in 12 innings, allowing six hits since July 21 with Syracuse. Barrett is 3-3 with a 4.60 ERA in 40 appearances (29 1/3 innings) this season.

Updated: Manager Matt Williams said that the Nationals put Barrett in high-leverage situations and that he usually delivers. In New York, he did a good job. But the last few games, he has had some inconsistency with his command.

"The situations that we put him are important situations, and he's been there many times," Williams said. "Him coming in and facing the big right-handed power hitter and using his pitches to strike him out or get a ground ball or whatever it is. Recently, there has been some times where he just hasn't been able to make that pitch, so we want to make sure that he continues to work."

Williams believes he has pinpointed one issue for Barrett, and that is fastball command.

"The thing that I have seen with Aaron when he does struggle is that he doesn't find the strike zone with his fastball and he gets behind," Williams said. "And when he does get behind, then it limits anybody. It would be the same case for anybody. We want him to just get back going again and find that consistency with the sinker and the slider."

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond returns to the lineup after a day off Wednesday.

Clint Robinson in for Ryan Zimmerman at first base. Zimmerman is on a scheduled day off. Williams said it is just a day of rest for his foot, and not a long term issue.

For the Diamondbacks:
CF Ender Inciarte
SS Cliff Pennington
LF David Peralta
3B Jake Lamb
2B Aaron Hill
1B Jarrod Saltalamacchia
RF Yasmany Tomas
C Oscar Hernandez
RHP Jeremy Hellickson

For the Nationals:
3B Yunel Escobar
2B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
1B Clint Robinson
LF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Joe Ross