The Nationals selected the contract of right-handed reliever Matt Albers from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and designated right-hander Jeremy Guthrie for assignment.
Guthrie started Saturday for the Nationals and didn't make it out of the first inning, allowing 10 earned runs in the club's 17-3 loss to the Phillies.
Albers, an 11-year veteran, was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training this year and he didn't allow a run in 11 2/3 innings. He gave up 10 hits and fanned six in 10 spring appearances.
Albers has a 4.38 ERA in 452 games with the Astros, Orioles, Red Sox, D-backs, Indians and White Sox.