Reynaldo Lopez has been called up by the Washington Nationals, manager Dusty Baker announced after Sunday’s 2-1 18-inning loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 22-year-old right-hander will make his professional debut in Tuesday’s series-opener against the Dodgers. Lucas Giolito will remain at Triple-A Syracuse and reliever Sammy Solis was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
“Giolito needs some work, especially with his breaking ball and his location,” Baker said. “And we’re going to put Sammy Solis on the DL because his knee is cranky right now.”
Giolito, the Nationals’ top prospect, threw four scoreless innings in his big league debut against the New York Mets on June 28, cut short due to a rain delay.
However, Giolito was sent back to the minors earlier this month after giving up four runs in 3.2 innings of action during his second start on July 7, also againstthe Mets.
“[Giolito] is pitching on the same day that Lopez is pitching, which is by design,” Baker added. “If things don’t work out and Joe Ross isn’t ready, we’ll look back at Giolito after he gets some work.”
“It’s on [Solis’] landing leg, so it seems worse but we hope that he’ll be alright,” Baker said.
Lopez signed with the Nationals in 2012 for $17,000 and has spent most of the 2016 season pitching for Double-A Harrisburg, where he owns a 3-5 record and 3.18 ERA across 14 starts. The Dominican Republic native has also started twice for Triple-A Syracuse this year and is 1-0.
Lopez, who joins a Washington rotation that currently leads the MLB with a combined 3.23 ERA, will square off against the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Scott Kazmir (7-3) Tuesday night.
• Mark Eisenhauer can be reached at meisenhauer@washingtontimes.com.
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