Nationals announce four roster moves

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Orlando Ribalta from Triple-A Rochester on Thursday and recalled outfielder Robert Hassell III, right-handed pitcher Ryan Loutos and left-handed pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara from Triple-A Rochester on Friday. Nationals Interim General Manager Mike DeBartolo made the announcements.

Hassell III, 23, returns to the Nationals for his second Major League stint of the season. He hit .336 with a .435 on-base percentage and a .519 slugging percentage in 33 games since returning to Rochester on June 16. He recorded six doubles, six homers, 25 RBI, 23 walks, 23 strikeouts, seven stolen bases and 26 runs scored during that stint.

Hassell III made his Major League debut on May 22 and appeared in 21 games with the Nationals during his first big league call-up. He hit .218 with a double, home run, eight RBI, one walk, one stolen base and six runs scored while appearing in both center field and right field.

Loutos, 26, pitched to a 2.16 ERA (2 ER/8.1 IP) and a .107 opponents’ average (3-for-28) with eight strikeouts and three walks in eight games since returning to Triple-A Rochester on July 6. He appeared in eight games out of Washington’s bullpen from June 14 through July 5, going 1-0 with an 9.82 ERA in 7.1 innings.

Ogasawara, 27, returns to the Nationals after going 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA (2 ER/10.0 IP) with seven strikeouts in his last two starts with Triple-A Rochester. In eight Minor League starts this season, Ogasawara is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA, 31 strikeouts and 10 walks between the FCL Nationals, High-A Wilmington and Triple-A Rochester.

Ogasawara made his Major League debut on July 6 vs. Boston (2.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 SO). He followed that with a strong start on July 12 at Milwaukee in which he allowed three earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work.

Ribalta, 27, pitched to a 2.57 ERA in seven outings between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester. He made Washington’s opening day roster, appearing in four games before being placed on the Injured List on April 14 with a right biceps strain. He began his rehab assignment on July 8 and was eventually optioned to Triple-A Rochester on July 24.