11:22am: In an update to his blog post, Goessling has quotes from GM Mike Rizzo on the move. Rizzo explains that it was necessary to DFA Chico in order to put him in the minors because he was on the major league squad for just one day. He added that there is zero risk of the club losing the 26-year-old.
10:30am: The Nationals have designated pitcher Matt Chico for assignment, though he will soon return to the club's 40-man roster, writes Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com. The move is concurrent with Washington's purchase of Doug Slaten's contract from Triple-A Syracuse.
Chico, 26, made his first big league appearance in nearly two years when he got the start against the Marlins yesterday. In five innings, Chico allowed two runs, registered three strikeouts, and didn't walk any batters.
Slaten has been golden in 17 Triple-A innings this season. The 30-year-old has not allowed a single run while racking up 17 strikeouts with just one walk. In 126 career big league outings, the lefty has a 3.68 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9.
Goessling adds that he is unsure as to why Chico is being DFA'd only to be retained. Nats GM Mike Rizzo is scheduled to give a more detailed explanation of the move later this morning.
