The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday and optioned right-handed pitcher Joe Ross to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Cole, 25, will be placed on the suspended list as he serves a three-game suspension from Major League Baseball, which resulted from his ejection on Sept. 25, 2016 at Pittsburgh. Cole served the first two games of his five-game suspension at the conclusion of the 2016 regular season.
The right-hander joins Washington with a 1-1 record and 6.63 ERA in four Minor League starts this season. Enjoying the longest Major League stint of his career in 2016, Cole threw 38.1 innings for Washington, starting eight games for the National League East champions during the stretch run. Cole is 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA in 11 career Major League games.
In 145 career Minor League appearances, Cole is 47-40 with a 3.71 ERA.
Ross, 23, made three starts with the Nationals in his most recent MLB stint, allowing 13 runs in 15.2 innings of work. He was 1-0 with a 7.47 ERA. He is 13-10 with a 3.83 ERA in 28 career Major League appearances.