Needing a fresh arm to help an overtaxed bullpen, the Nationals promoted left-hander Konnor Pilkington from Triple-A Rochester today, a move that led to the demotion of Mason Thompson and the transfer of Dylan Crews to the 60-day injured list.

With Brad Lord making his return to the rotation tonight against the Reds but likely to only throw three or four innings, the Nats knew they were going to need to lean on their bullpen to get through this game. That problem was only exacerbated when MacKenzie Gore failed to make it out of the third inning Sunday against the Padres and Jake Irvin didn’t make it out of the fourth inning in Monday night’s series opener against the Reds.

So the call was placed to Rochester, where Pilkington had been pitching well (2.59 ERA, 1.200 WHIP in 36 games) in a multi-inning relief role. The 27-year-old has 16 games of major league experience with the Guardians, including 11 starts in 2022, and he has a newfound appreciation for the significance of a return from Triple-A.

“You understand how much it actually means to get the call, being able to be in the big leagues,” he said. “That makes it extremely special this time, just as special as every other time. When I was with Cleveland, I got the opportunity to be in the big leagues with them. Moved on and signed with (the Nationals) this offseason, and the main goal is to help the team win. Whether that’s in the big leagues or in Triple-A, or wherever they need me, that’s the kind of guy I am, the kind of pitcher I am.”

Pilkington, who lasted pitched Sunday and said he’s available if needed tonight in relief of Lord, takes over the active roster spot previously held by Thompson, who had only recently returned from the second Tommy John surgery of his career.

Thompson appeared in six games, charged with six runs on six hits and six walks. He had yet to be used on back-to-back days, and that made him a logical choice to be optioned back to Triple-A after he appeared in Monday night’s win.

“It’s been a long road for him with Tommy John,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said. “I told him today I love the way he pitches. He competes. He’s got a presence on the mound. I told him: ‘I don’t want to see you leave.’ He understands the situation. He can go down and come back. … He’s going to come back.”

Because Pilkington was not previously on the 40-man roster, the Nationals needed to clear a spot for him. They did so by transferring Crews from the 15-day to the 60-day IL, though that move was merely procedural and not a reflection of any change in his status.

Crews has already missed 62 days with a left oblique strain, so he remains eligible to be activated once he’s deemed healthy by team doctors. The outfielder has been taking full hitting, defensive and baserunning drills in recent days and appears ready to begin a minor league rehab assignment, though the team has not announced yet when that will occur.

* The Nationals officially signed fourth-round pick Miguel Sime Jr. this afternoon and welcomed the 18-year-old right-hander to the ballpark to watch batting practice and meet (among others) managing principal owner Mark Lerner and retired players Ryan Zimmerman (who is calling tonight’s game on MASN) and Jayson Werth (who happened to be in town for the day).

Sime, whose fastball reached 100 mph at Poly Prep Country Day in Brooklyn, N.Y., agreed to a $2 million signing bonus (well above the designated slot value of $687,800 for that pick), turning down a commitment to pitch for LSU next season.

He’ll now head to West Palm Beach to begin his professional career, joining other recent draft picks in the rookie Florida Complex League.

“It’s a dream come true,” Sime said. “For me, it’s really just the beginning. The start of being in the big leagues and a Hall of Famer at the end. That’s my goal, and I’m super blessed to get the opportunity to play.”

The Nationals have now announced deals with 15 of their 20 draft picks. The only remaining unsigned players: second-rounder Ethan Petry (who played at South Carolina), third-rounder Landon Harmon (who told reporters he plans to sign and forego a commitment to Mississippi State), fifth-rounder Coy James (who has committed to Mississippi), 17th-rounder Bryce Molinaro (who played at Penn State) and 19th-rounder Mason Pike (who has committed to Oregon State).