Nationals contemplating September callups

WASHINGTON -- Manager Davey Johnson did not reveal which Minor League players will join the team when rosters expand on Sunday, but he did give some clues.

Johnson said Friday that the team will call up three pitchers and four or five position players, adding that the pitchers will likely join the Nationals before the position players.

While the callups have not been finalized, a source said that Danny Espinosa will likely not be among them. The source also said that Triple-A shortstop Zach Walters will be called up.

When asked about Walters, who is the Nationals' No. 12 prospect and leads the International League with 29 home runs, Johnson chose his words carefully.

"He's certainly deserving, let's put it that way," Johnson said. "And I would like to see him come up."

Johnson said that each of the callups have played for him before, either with the Nationals or during Spring Training. He only confirmed that one player will definitely rejoin the team: left-hander Ian Krol.

Outfielders Corey Brown and Jeff Kobernus and left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno are also safe bets to be called up.