Nationals call up catching prospect Severino

ST. LOUIS -- The Nationals added to their Major League roster by selecting the contract of catcher Pedro Severino from Double-A Harrisburg and recalling left-hander Sammy Solis from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. The team also activated Dan Uggla from the 15-day disabled list.

Severino, ranked by MLB.com as the Nationals' No. 9 prospect, is considered an above-average defensive catcher, throwing out 38 percent of would-be basestealers in 331 Minor League games.

Severino, 22, was hitting .246 with five home runs and 34 RBIs in 91 games at the time of his promotion.

Severino was pleasantly surprised after learning Monday night that he was going to the big leagues for the first time. The first person he called was his mother, but he had a tough time reaching her over the phone. Severino was able to contact his father, however, and he was overjoyed and cried after hearing the news.

While he is with the Nationals this month, Severino said he wants to improve at the plate.

"I need to be better with the offense," Severino said. "I need to close my shoulder, hit the ball up the middle."

Uggla returns to the Nationals after missing 22 games because of back spasms. He played in seven games on a rehab assignment, making stops with Class A Hagerstown, Class A Advanced Potomac and Harrisburg.

Joining the Nationals' bullpen for the fourth time this season, Solis returns to the Major Leagues after posting a 2.03 ERA in nine games for Syracuse.