The Washington Nationals have been forced to reshuffle the deck at catcher for the second time in the past week. The club announced Saturday catcher Yan Gomes has been placed on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain.
The Nationals selected the contract of 25-year old catch Jakson Reetz and designated left-handed pitcher Kyle Lobstein for assignment to make room for Reetz on the 40-man roster.
Gomes exited Friday’s game in the second inning against the San Francisco Giants when he felt a pinch in his oblique during warm-up pitches with Paolo Espino. Tres Barrera replaced Gomes while outfielder Yadiel Hernandez served as the emergency catcher.
The 26-year old Barrera was recalled on July 3 to replace the injured backup catcher Alex Avila. Avila went on the 10-day injured list with a bilateral calf strains.
Washington once had a solid duo at catcher to start the season in Gomes and Avila. Now, they’ll have to rely on two youngsters for the time being. Barrera had played in a mere two MLB games prior to his call-up this week.
Meanwhile, Reetz had never played beyond Class-A ball until this season. He was called up to Triple-A Rochester after Barrera’s call-up to the Nationals. Now he’ll be set to make his MLB debut.
Reetz hit .233/.357/.383 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 38 games between Rochester and Double-A Harrisburg.
Gomes goes on the IL hitting .266/.320/.439 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs in 61 games this season.
