Nationals place of Bryce Harper on DL, recall RHP Erik Davis from Syracuse

The Washington Nationals today placed outfielder Bryce Harper on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to May 27, with left knee bursitis and recalled right-handed pitcher Erik Davis from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Davis went 1-2 with seven saves and a 3.00 ERA in 21 relief appearances this season with the Chiefs, posting 10.1 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (27 K/24.0 IP) and a 3.4/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (27 K/8 BB). The 26-year-old, who ranks tied for eighth in the International League for saves, pocketed a .239 batting average against in '13. 

Acquired from San Diego along with cash considerations in exchange for infielder Alberto Gonzalez on March 28, 2011, Davis is 46-26 with 12 saves and a 3.81 ERA in 167 games/75 starts during six minor-league seasons. In two seasons as a reliever ('12-13), he has gone 9-5 with 12 saves and a 2.78 ERA over 69 appearances.

Davis, who will wear No. 51, was originally selected by San Diego in the 13th round of the '08 First-Year Player Draft out of Stanford University, where he was teammates with Nationals reliever Drew Storen.

Harper, 20, is batting .287 with seven doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 23 RBI, 29 walks and two stolen bases in 44 games this season with Washington.