Carpenter joins Nats, makes spotless debut

MILWAUKEE -- A day after losing reliever Aaron Barrett to injury, the Nationals activated another bullpen arm in David Carpenter, who was acquired on Thursday from the Yankees.

Barrett was placed on the disabled list with a strained right biceps, which occurred in the eighth inning of Thursday's game. Carpenter took his place on the roster and was called on in the ninth inning of the Nationals' 8-4 loss to the Brewers on Friday night. He pitched a clean frame, striking out Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy, and his fastball touched 96 mph.

Carpenter, acquired in exchange for prospect Tony Renda, has an 11-11 record and a 3.79 ERA in 210 appearances in the Major Leagues. The 29-year-old appeared in 22 games for the Yankees and logged a 4.82 ERA before being designated for assignment by New York on June 3.

"He's been throwing regular bullpen [sessions]," Nationals manager Matt Williams said before Friday's game. "Of course, he hasn't had regular game competition in quite some time, but he threw a touch-and-feel bullpen today. He's fully healthy and ready to go."

Carpenter spent two seasons with the Braves in 2013 and '14, and he registered a 10-5 record with a 2.63 ERA in 121 games with Atlanta. The Yankees acquired him from Atlanta in January. Carpenter and Chasen Shreve went to the Yankees in exchange for Manny Banuelos.

Carpenter believes his experience pitching in the National League East will only aid his cause.

"It will definitely help getting to face guys I'm familiar with," Carpenter said. "They're also familiar with me, but getting back to a familiar setting is kind of nice."

The Nationals have struggled to keep arms in the bullpen healthy this season and Barrett joins that list. The right-hander has appeared in 30 of the Nats' 60 games and over the past week, he's pitched five times.

With Carpenter's appearance on Friday, the Nationals have used 16 relievers this season. They used 13 in all of 2014.

Barrett, who was injured while throwing a pitch in the eighth inning, will head back to see the club's doctor and undergo further tests.

"Preliminary [report] is that he's got a biceps strain," Williams said. "He'll get back and see the doctor, see what the diagnosis is and what the program would be from there."

Barrett has pitched to a 3-2 record and a 4.64 ERA this season.