WASHINGTON (AP) - Two years to the day after Chien-Ming Wang underwent shoulder surgery, the right-hander is finally ready to start a major league game.
The Washington Nationals activated Wang from the 60-day disabled list Friday before hosting the New York Mets.
Wang’s last start was with the New York Yankees on July 4, 2009, and he has since been recovering from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder. His last win came in the previous start against the Mets and the two-time 19-game winner’s career record is 55-26 with a 4.16 ERA in 109 games.
Signed by the Nationals in February 2010, Wang made six rehab starts before being activated. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Wang will be limited to 80-90 pitches.
To make room, outfielder Roger Bernandina was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
Bernandina was hitting .247 with five homers, 20 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 71 games this season. Though he leads the team with 15 runs in July, the Nationals’ primary center fielder since Johnson was named manager was hitless over his last 20 at-bats. Johnson was optimistic that Bernandina would return soon and said sending down a position player was done in part to not overwork the Nationals’ taxed bullpen.
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