WASHINGTON -- The Nationals have been impressed by right-hander Jefry Rodriguez this season, from his handful of starts in the Majors to the way he has dominated the Minors lately. In his last start at Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, he allowed just one unearned run in six innings and struck out 11. He also pitched well in his last start in the Majors on Aug. 7 against the Braves, giving up one run in five innings.
Those performances are reasons why the Nationals promoted Rodriguez to the rotation when they called him up to start Saturday's game and bumped Tommy Milone to the bullpen.