The Nationals have selected right-hander Paolo Espino, placed righties Aaron Barrett (triceps strain) and James Bourque (elbow strain) on the 10-day injured list, and moved lefty Seth Romero to the 45-day IL, the team announced. The Nats also recalled outfielder Yadiel Hernandez.
Espino, 33, could now log major league action for the first time since 2017 – his only season in the majors thus far. He posted a 6.00 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 3.75 BB/9 in 24 innings between the Brewers and Rangers then, but divided the previous two years among the Triple-A affiliates of those teams and the Nationals. Overall, he has recorded a 4.21 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 657 2/3 innings at the minors’ highest level.
Injuries have been an unfortunate part of the package for Barrett, a ninth-round pick of the Nationals in 2010 who was an effective part of their bullpen from 2014-15. Barrett underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015, though, and also suffered a fractured elbow. He made his return to the majors late last season, but the 32-year-old has only combined for four innings of six-run ball since then.
Wow Espino has certainly put his time in in the minors… he’s been pitching professionally since 2007 but has only pitched briefly in the majors in that time. He hasn’t necessarily looked all that great as of late in AAA… but given that he’s spent so long trying to make it in the majors he’ll definitely be an easy guy to root for. Best of luck to him!
I remember being 11 or 12 years old and watching him pitch for the Akron Aeros. I’m now 22 and they’re the Akron RubberDucks. Kinda funny when you look at it like that.