Nationals reinstate SS Ian Desmond, designate INF Cesar Izturis for assignment

The Washington Nationals today reinstated shortstop Ian Desmond from the 15-Day Disabled List and designated infielder Cesar Izturis for assignment. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Desmond, who missed the last 25 contests with a left oblique strain, is batting .286 with 24 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs, 53 RBI, 15 stolen bases and 51 runs in 89 games this season with the Nationals. At the time of his DL assignment, the 26-year-old All-Star shortstop ranked among National League leaders in total bases (183, tied for 7th), extra-base hits (43, tied for 8th), doubles (tied for 9th), multi-hit games (31, tied for 9th) and homers (tied for 10th).

Izturis, 32, went 2-for-4 with a double and four runs scored in five games with Washington this season.