The Washington Nationals recalled outfielder Brian Goodwin from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday and optioned outfielder Rafael Bautista to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Goodwin, 26, joins the Nationals for his first Major League assignment of the 2017 season. In 25 games for Triple-A Syracuse, Goodwin is hitting .256 (23-for-90) with four doubles, two home runs, 11 RBI, 10 walks, two stolen bases and nine runs scored. He has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games with Triple-A Syracuse, including nine straight from April 21-30.
Goodwin enjoyed two stints with the Nationals in 2016, going 12-for-42 (.286) with four doubles, one triple and five RBI in 22 games. He made his Major League debut on Aug. 6 vs. San Francisco and recorded his first MLB hit in his first start on Aug. 10 vs. Cleveland.
An athletic, versatile outfielder, Goodwin is in his sixth full season in Washington's system after being selected No. 34 overall in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Miami Dade Community College.
Bautista, 24, appeared in five games for the Nationals during his first career Major League stint. He recorded his first MLB hit, a third-inning single, in his first career start, May 6 at Philadelphia.