With the news today that Washington Nationals’ third baseman Starlin Castro was going on administrative leave as the league investigates domestic violence allegations, it seemed obvious that the club would have to bring someone up or off the IL in order to take Castro’s place on the roster before the start of this weekend’s three-game series with the San Diego Padres in Nationals Park.
This afternoon the Nationals announced a series of moves in advance of the start of their second-half opening series:
· Agreed to terms on a Major League contract with catcher René Rivera
· Reinstated infielder Jordy Mercer from the 10-day Injured list
· Optioned catcher Jakson Reetz to Triple-A Rochester
· Infielder Starlin Castro placed on Administrative Leave by Major League Baseball under the Joint MLB-MLBPA Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy
Rivera, 37, joins catcher Tres Barrera in D.