The Washington Nationals recalled catcher Riley Adams and selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Javy Guerra from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday. Additionally, the Nationals placed catcher René Rivera on the 10-day Injured List (retroactive to Aug. 2) with a right elbow contusion and optioned right-handed pitcher Wander Suero to Triple-A Rochester. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.
Adams, 25, was acquired by the Washington Nationals from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for left-handed pitcher Brad Hand on July 29. He appeared in one game with Triple-A Rochester, going 0-for-3 with two walks on July 30 vs. Lehigh Valley. He became the No. 13 prospect in Washington’s Minor League system according to MLBPipeline.com following the trade.
Prior to the trade, Adams was considered the best power hitter in Toronto’s Minor League system according to Baseball America. He joined the Nationals organization after hitting .239 with six doubles, one triple, seven homers, 17 RBI, 16 walks and 20 runs scored in 35 games for Triple-A East Buffalo.
Adams made his Major League debut on June 8 at Chicago (AL), going 1-for-3 with a double. He appeared in 12 games with the Blue Jays across two Major League stints. Adams went 3-for-28 (.107) with two doubles, two walks and two runs scored. He spent the 2020 season at Toronto’s Alternate Training Site.
The 6-foot-4, 246-pound righty has hit .262 with a .363 on-base percentage and a .419 slugging percentage in 286 games across four professional seasons (2017-21). He’s recorded 66 doubles, five triples, 28 home runs, 146 RBI, 130 walks, eight stolen bases and 153 runs scored. He was a Florida State League All-Star in 2018 and 2019 and a Northwest League All-Star in 2017.
Guerra, 35, returns to the active roster after missing the first portion of the season with right elbow soreness. He posted a 1.35 ERA (1 ER/6.2 IP) across six Minor League outings. Guerra spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with Washington, going 3-1 with a 4.67 ERA in 54 appearances out of the bullpen.
Rivera, 38, has appeared in four games for the Nationals this season, hitting .214 (3-for-14) with two runs scored.
Suero, 29, is 2-2 with a 5.67 ERA in 37 games out of Washington’s bullpen this season.
