The Nationals’ first round of September call-ups include a third-string catcher making his major-league debut, an extra long reliever with experience earlier this season and a veteran hitter returning from a minor injury.
Catcher Pedro Severino, left-hander Sammy Solis and infielder Dan Uggla all were added to the Nationals’ roster before Tuesday night’s game in St. Louis, giving the club a few extra reinforcements for the season’s final month.
Severino makes his big-league debut after spending the season at Class AA Harrisburg, where he hit .246 with a .288 on-base percentage and .331 slugging percentage. Touted as a strong defensive catcher, the 22-year-old Dominican native probably won’t see significant playing time down the stretch, but his presence allows manager Matt Williams to use either Jose Lobaton or Wilson Ramos as a pinch-hitter without burning up his only backup catcher.