Nats Acquire Pair of Righthanders from Rangers in 3-Player Deal

Ryan Tatusko and Tanner Roak added to system; Cristian Guzman to Rangers The Washington Nationals today acquired right-handed pitchers Ryan Tatusko and Tanner Roark from the Texas Rangers in exchange for infielder Cristian Guzman. The Nationals then assigned Tatusko and Roark to Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The 6-foot-5 Tatusko went 9-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 24 games/23 starts for Frisco of the Double-A Texas League prior to today's trade. The 25 year-old has been touched for only two home runs in 100.0 innings in 2010. In six starts dating to June 28, Tatusko is 4-1 with a 1.33 ERA. He currently ranks among Texas League leaders in winning percentage (first, .818), wins (third) and ERA (sixth). A product of Indiana State, Tatusko is 22-26 with a 4.09 ERA in 101 professional games/68 starts, during which he has registered a 2.0/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Roark joins the Nationals organization after going 10-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 games/17 starts for Frisco. Roark's 10 wins are currently tied for the Texas League lead. Last season, Roark fanned 8.6 batters per 9.0 innings en route to finishing 11-1 with a 3.02 ERA for Frisco and Bakersfield of the Single-A California League. The 11 wins were tied for the most posted by a Rangers farmhand last season. In the midst of his third pro campaign, Roark is 24-10 with a 3.47 ERA in 75 games/32 starts. He has registered 8.0 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched and a 2.7/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio as a professional. The longest-tenured National prior to the trade, Guzman hit .282 in 89 games for Washington this season. He departs after hitting .282 (581-for-2059) with 95 doubles, 28 triples, 23 home runs, 177 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 550 games with the Nationals from 2005-10.