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The Nats made a roster move before tonight's game, placing left-hander Doug Slaten on the 15-day disabled list and recalling right-hander Craig Stammen from Triple-A Syracuse.
Slaten, who was reliable as a situational reliever last year, has had trouble getting left-handers out this season and has allowed inherited runners to score at an alarming rate. Left-handed batters are hitting him at a .321 clip, making his 2.19 ERA deceiving, and 15 of his 30 inherited runners have scored.
Slaten claimed last night, after allowing Stpehen Drew's bases-loaded triple, that he was healthy and manager Jim Riggleman wondered whether that was actually the case. Less than 24 hours later, an irritation to the ulnar nerve in his left elbow pushed him to the disabled list.
That move opened a spot for Stammen, who has been one of Syracuse's top pitchers this season, posting a 5-3 record and 3.84 ERA in 10 starts. He's pitched parts of two seasons with the Nationals, going 8-11 with a 5.12 ERA in 54 games, including 38 starts.
