Nationals Activate INF Asdrubal Cabrera, Option RHP Aaron Barrett to AAA Syracuse

The Washington Nationals today activated infielder Asdrubal Cabrera and optioned right-handed reliever Aaron Barrett to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

The Nationals acquired Cabrera, along with cash considerations, from the Cleveland Indians on Thursday afternoon in exchange for infielder Zach Walters.

Cabrera, a veteran shortstop who has started 149 games at second base, is a career .270 hitter (933-for-3460) with 211 doubles, 82 home runs, 290 walks and a .331 career on-base percentage in 914 games, which he spent exclusively with the Indians.

Barrett, 26, is 3-0 with a 3.21 ERA in 40 appearances out of the Nationals' bullpen this season.

The rookie right-hander allowed just two earned runs in the first 21.2 innings of his Major League career, and posted a 1.93 ERA through June 30. His 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings are also tops among all National League rookie relievers (minimum 30 innings pitched).