The Nationals called up center fielder Denard Span before Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres and optioned reliever Tanner Roark to Class A Potomac to clear room on their roster.
Span returns to the Nationals after a six-week recovery from back tightness. He was placed on the disabled list on July 7 and just completed a minor league rehab assignment of six games.
Span, 31, holds a .304 batting average and .367 OPS with five homers, 37 runs and 11 steals in 59 games this season. He went 7-for-17 with five runs, one homer, three walks and a steal in his six minor league outings.