Sources: Reliever Barrett visits Dr. Andrews

WASHINGTON -- Nationals right-hander Aaron Barrett saw Dr. James Andrews recently to check on his right elbow, according to two baseball sources.

Andrews is a prominent orthopedist who performs Tommy John surgeries for players needing elbow reconstruction, but it's not known if Barrett will need to go through the procedure.

Barrett appeared in 40 games and had a 4.50 ERA for Washington before he was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Aug. 6. He was placed on the disabled list the next day after telling the team that his elbow was hurting. Barrett said he was pitching in pain prior to going on the DL.

"It was something I was battling," Barrett said recently. "I didn't communicate it with the coaching staff. We all have nicks and pains we try to battle through. It's part of the game. I'm trying to help my team win, compete the best that I could. They optioned me down and I let them know what was going on with my elbow. That's when they made the decision to put me on the DL."

Worth noting

• Third baseman Yunel Escobar missed the three-game series against the Marlins because of a right-hand contusion. Manager Matt Williams hopes Escobar could play against the Cardinals starting Monday night.