Sources: Nats send Jordan to Triple-A, recall Mattheus

NEW YORK -- The Nationals have optioned right-hander Taylor Jordan to Triple-A Syracuse and recalled reliever Ryan Mattheus, according to two sources. The Nationals have not confirmed the transaction.

Jordan was inconsistent, going 0-3 with a 5.61 ERA in five starts. He made the team out of Spring Training after Doug Fister went on the 15-day disabled list because of a lat strain.

In Jordan's last start, against the Padres, manager Matt Williams decided to take him out of the game after four innings and 63 pitches. Jordan's fastball, which was around 84 mph, is usually in the high 80s to low 90s. It turned out that Jordan had the flu, and he was running a fever when he arrived at the park. He allowed a run in a 4-2 Nationals loss.

Fister will replace Jordan in the rotation. With the two off days this week, Fister is not needed until possibly May 6. Fister is currently on a rehab assignment and is expected to make his final rehab start for Double-A Harrisburg before he is activated from the disabled list.

As for Mattheus, he will be added to a bullpen that has been overtaxed. Mattheus appeared in 66 games and had a 2.85 ERA in 2012 for the Nationals, but followed that season with a down year in 2013 that included him punching a locker and breaking his right hand on May 19 against the Padres.

When he returned after 58 games, he had a tough time getting hitters out and spent time with Syracuse.

This season, Mattheus didn't have much of a Spring Training because of chest inflammation, and started the season with Syracuse, where in nine games he allowed six runs in 10 innings.