The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday and optioned catcher Pedro Severino to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Cole, 25, returns to the Nationals after a one-start sojourn back with Triple-A. He will start on Friday night against the New York Mets.
The right-hander, who is 1-3 with a 5.32 ERA in four starts for the Nationals this season, last started for the Major League club on Aug. 13 vs. the San Francisco Giants, throwing a quality start with 6.0 innings of three-run, six-hit ball. He struck out six and walked three, though he suffered the loss in Washington's 4-2 setback to the Giants.
Severino, 24, is hitting .273 in nine Major League games this season. The right-handed-hitting catcher is 3-for-11 with a double and an RBI at the Major League level this year. Before his recall to the big leagues, Severino was hitting .238 with four doubles, a triple, five home runs, 29 RBI and 12 walks in 57 Minor League games this season.