Nats option Krol to make room for Ohlendorf

CHICAGO -- Reliever Ian Krol, a native of Naperville, Ill. -- a suburban city 30 miles outside Chicago -- was glad to be at Wrigley Field as a player for the first time.

"Personally, I think this is the greatest city to be in," Krol said before Tuesday's game against the Cubs. "All the people are so nice, and it's always nice coming back home. Whenever you get a chance to come back home, you've got to take the opportunity and just take it and relax and enjoy it and soak it all in."

Following the Nationals' 4-2 win over the Cubs on Tuesday, the club announced that Krol has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for right-hander Ross Ohlendorf, who was activated from the DL in order to make Wednesday's start.

Manager Davey Johnson indicated Krol would be back when rosters expand Sept. 1.

The rookie posted a solid 3.24 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 27 appearances for the Nationals this season.

And as someone who grew up a Cubs fan, Krol was excited to be on the mound in a ballpark he often went to as a youngster,  pitching the eighth inning in Monday's series opener.

"I was a Cubs fan," Krol said. "I grew up a Cubs fan and came to Wrigley a lot. I enjoyed all the games and my parents are Cubs fans. So I'm pretty familiar with the stadium."