Nationals reinstate Jon Lester

The Washington Nationals reinstated left-handed pitcher Jon Lester from the Injured List on Friday. Additionally, Washington optioned right-handed pitcher Steven Fuentes and transferred left-handed pitcher Luis Avilán to the 60-day Injured List. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Lester, 37, will take the mound for his first start as a member of the Washington Nationals on Friday night against the Miami Marlins. Lester went 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts for the Chicago Cubs in 2020. He recorded four starts of 6.0 innings and one or fewer runs allowed. Lester opened the 2020 season strong, posting a 1.06 ERA (2 ER/17.0 IP) with nine strikeouts, four walks and a .177 opponents’ batting average (7-for-60) in his first three starts.

A three-time World Series Champion and five-time All-Star, Lester signed a one-year contract with Washington at the end of January 2021. He joined the Nationals after six seasons with the Chicago Cubs in which he went 77-44 with a 3.64 ERA in 171 starts.

Fuentes, 23, did not appear in a game during his first career Major League stint.

Avilán, 31, appeared in four games prior to being placed on the Injured List on April 17 with left elbow inflammation.