Nationals place RHP Shawn Kelley on DL with elbow soreness
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The Washington Nationals have put right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday because of ulnar nerve irritation in his pitching elbow.
Kelley, who turns 34 on Thursday, has a history of elbow trouble and has twice come back from Tommy John surgery. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI test on his elbow when the Nationals return to Washington later this week.
''Same as yesterday,'' Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. ''Hopefully he gets better soon. He's sore but he feels better.''
Kelley felt some irritation in his elbow shortly after relieving starter Gio Gonzalez during the sixth inning of Monday night's 4-2 loss to the Giants.
Mac Williamson hit Kelley's first pitch 464 feet for a two-run homer. Kelley was pulled a few pitches later after bouncing a slider well in front of the plate.
Kelley said after the game that he didn't think it was anything serious, but Martinez said the Nationals were being cautious.
''He's had two surgeries so we want to make sure we don't do any more damage and just give him a little breather,'' Martinez said.
The Nationals also optioned infielder/outfielder Matt Reynolds to Triple-A Syracuse and called up outfielder Rafael Bautista and infielder Adrian Sanchez.
