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Frandsen makes return to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA -- Nationals infielder/outfielder Kevin Frandsen returned to Citizens Bank Park for the first time since he elected to become a free agent on May 24 after the Phillies outrighted him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Frandsen talked about how he loved playing in front of the Phillies fans and how grateful he was that the Phillies gave him a chance to play in the big leagues again. Frandsen made 488 plate appearances in 174 games with the Phillies in 2012-13, and he thought he would be with the Phillies for a long time before he was outrighted.

"I got an opportunity to make it back to the big leagues. I played really well for them," Frandsen said. "But there are some things you really can't control. I really didn't control it, obviously. It happened."

Frandsen said he was angry when he left the Phillies, but he reiterated that his anger was not toward current manager Ryne Sandberg and his coaching staff. Frandsen was upset that the front office needed payroll flexibility.

"I didn't think of myself [as payroll flexibility]. I earned my way to being on the bench, being a vital part over there. That's what I thought," Frandsen said.

A day after becoming a free agent, Frandsen signed with the Nationals and is one of their main cogs off the bench. He is expected to see his share of playing time during the next two months, now that outfielder Bryce Harper is on the disabled list because of torn ligaments in his left thumb.

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time. He also could be found on Twitter @WashingNats.
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