Nationals select contract of 1B/3B Greg Dobbs, option C Sandy Leon to Syracuse

The Washington Nationals today selected the contract of first baseman Greg Dobbs, optioned catcher Sandy Leon to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and recalled outfielder Eury Perez from Syracuse and placed him on the 60-Day Disabled List (left toe fracture). Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

The left-handed hitting Dobbs is a career .262 (542-for-2069) with 105 doubles, 46 home runs and 272 RBI in 938 games spanning 11 seasons with the Marlins, Phillies and Mariners.

Dobbs signed with the Nationals as a minor-league free agent on May 12. He appeared in 15 games for the Marlins earlier this season.

Dobbs, who throws right-handed and has defensive experience at first base, third base and the outfield, is best known for his proficiency off the bench. The 35 year-old is a career .247 pinch hitter and his 96 pinch hits are tied for 12th all-time. He leads all active players in pinch hits (Reed Johnson ranks second with 67), pinch RBI (75, Seth Smith ranks second with 41) and pinch walks (33, Jason Giambi ranks second with 31). His 10 career pinch-hit home runs rank third among active players behind only Scott Hairston (12) and Giambi (11).

Despite reputation as one of MLB's best bench bats, in seven seasons dating to 2007, Dobbs has averaged 118 games per campaign.

Leon, 25, hit .182 with a homer (April 14 at Miami) and three RBI in 13 games for Washington. When starting behind the plate, the Nationals went 7-5 (.583).

Perez batted .228 in 24 games with Syracuse.