House, Lile called up; Hassell, Tena sent down; Yepez DFA

The Washington Nationals announced the following roster moves on Monday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

  • Selected the contract of third baseman Brady House from Triple-A Rochester
  • Recalled outfielder Daylen Lile from Triple-A Rochester
  • Optioned outfielder Robert Hassell III and infielder José Tena to Triple-A Rochester
  • Designated infielder Juan Yepez for assignment

House, 22, leads Washington’s Minor League system in nearly every offensive category, including home runs (13), RBI (41), slugging percentage (.519), OPS (.872), hits (79), extra-base hits (29) and runs scored (42) in 65 games with Triple-A Rochester this season. He has hit .304 with a .353 on-base percentage and has also added 15 doubles, one triple and 20 walks to his season totals. Defensively, he boasts the “Best Infield Arm” in the organization, according to Baseball America.

House joins the Nationals after having hit safely in 15 straight games for the Red Wings, the second-longest active streak in all of Minor League Baseball. He hit .375 (24-for-64) with four doubles, four homers, 13 RBI, five walks and 10 runs scored. He posted a .420 on-base percentage and a .625 slugging percentage during the streak.

The No. 3 prospect in Washington’s system and one of the top 100 prospects in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline (No. 91) and Baseball America (No. 98), House is in his fifth professional season after being selected 11th overall in the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, Georgia. He has been one of the best overall hitters in Washington’s system throughout his career, posting a .280/.338/.453 slash line with 68 doubles, five triples, 51 RBI, 96 walks, 16 stolen bases and 200 runs scored in 343 professional games.

 

Lile, 22, returns for his second Major League stint after making his debut on May 23 vs. San Francisco. Since returning to Triple-A Rochester, he’s hit .281 (9-for-32) with three doubles, one homer, six RBI, two walks, three stolen bases and five runs scored and hit safely in seven of eight games.

 

Hassell III, hit .218 with a double, one homer, eight RBI, one walk, one stolen base and six runs scored in 21 games during his first Major League stint with Washington.

 

Tena, 24, appeared in 44 games for Washington after making the club out of Spring Training. He hit .248 with 12 doubles, two triples, 13 RBI, 15 walks, two stolen bases and 18 runs scored.