The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated second baseman Daniel Murphy from the 10-day disabled list and optioned infielder Adrian Sanchez to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Murphy, 33, joins the Nationals after missing the first 64 games of the season rehabilitating from offseason right knee surgery. He went 9-for-37 (.243) with two doubles, two homers, seven RBIs, six walks and eight runs scored in 10 rehab games with Double-A Harrisburg. Murphy appeared at second base (8 games) and first base (2 games).
Murphy is coming off a 2017 season in which he hit .322 with 43 doubles, three triples, 23 home runs, 93 RBIs, 52 walks and 94 runs scored in 144 games. He represented Washington in the All-Star Game and took home Silver Slugger honors for the second consecutive season. Murphy led or ranked near the top of the National League in a number of offensive categories including doubles (T-1st, 43), batting average (2nd, .322), hits (8th, 172), and multi-hit games (9th, 49).
Sanchez, 27, has appeared in 15 games for the Nationals in 2018, hitting .174 (4-for-23) with one double and one RBI.