ST. PETERSBURG -- The Nationals activated reliever Brandon Kintzler before Monday's road game against the Rays. The 33-year-old reliever had missed the last 12 games with a right forearm flexor strain.
"He's ready to go," manager Dave Martinez said. "Biggest thing is that his arm felt good."
Before going on the DL, Kintzler was 1-2 with a 4.45 ERA, a team-high 13 holds and a pair of saves in 31 games. Kintzler, who threw a scoreless frame in his rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Potomac on Sunday, said that the rest has been helpful for his body as a whole.
"I feel rejuvenated. I feel refreshed," Kintzler said. "I'm ready to help the team get going and hopefully help fill that gap to get to [closer Sean] Doolittle."
To make room on the roster, the Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Jefry Rodriguez to Triple-A Syracuse. Rodriguez allowed nine runs over 13 2/3 innings in three appearances (two starts) with Washington.