SAN DIEGO – Right-hander Orlando Ribalta, one of the Nationals' most improved pitchers this season, was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday with right forearm inflammation. The team is awaiting results of an MRI.
The Nationals recalled right-hander Yovanny Cruz from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move.
Ribalta has become a late-inning go-to for the Nats in his third Major League season. He has recorded a 3.77 ERA while throwing a career-high 43 innings across 45 appearances.
Ribalta, though, informed manager Blake Butera of right arm discomfort before Sunday’s series finale against the Dodgers.
“It’s on the outside of his right forearm,” Butera said on Sunday. “It's something he's dealt with a little bit throughout the year, but he's managed. He came in 30 minutes before the game today and was basically like, ‘I can't pitch.’
“Generally speaking, it's a huge blow.”
The Nationals manage their bullpen to matchups, and Ribalta has been dominant against lefties. He has held left-handed batters to a .132 average (9-for-68) this season. Ribalta also has been clutch in jams – he has held his opponents to 0-for-11 (including five strikeouts) with the bases loaded.
In a recent 16-game stretch from June 30 to Aug. 21, Ribalta posted a 2.25 ERA with 19 strikeouts. He earned his first career win on Aug. 29 against the Marlins. Ribalta stranded the ghost runner and recorded two strikeouts in that game.
Cruz hopes to be more consistent in his second stint with the Nationals. Acquired from the Yankees in the Luis Garcia Jr. trade, Cruz struggled on a new team and did not have confidence in his fastball. He was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 19. Cruz said the time on the Red Wings was helpful to get acclimated. He worked on his slider with assistant pitching coach Sam Narron, which he hopes will be effective in games.