WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals recalled pitcher Reynaldo Lopez to make his major league debut Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The team selected the right-hander's contract from Triple-A Syracuse and placed left-handed reliever Sammy Solis on the disabled list with right knee inflammation.
Lopez, who is the fifth-ranked prospect in the Nationals' organization and 92nd-ranked in baseball, had a 3.27 ERA in four starts for Syracuse after striking out 100 batters in 14 starts for Double-A Harrisburg. Right-hander Joe Ross remains on the DL with shoulder inflammation.
"At this point in the season, since Joe has been down and we have that rotation slot open, we kind of wanted to see what we got," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said of Lopez. "He's come a long way in a short period of time, and we thought we could not only reward him for what he's done, he gives us a chance to win the game tonight."
Washington recalled Lopez over right-hander Lucas Giolito, the organization's top prospect. Giolito posted a 4.70 ERA in two recent starts without a decision before the Nationals optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse on July 8.
"If Giolito had pitched a little bit better, this might not have happened," manager Dusty Baker said. "But the fact that Giolito was having trouble with his secondary pitches -- and in the big leagues, if you're having trouble with your secondary pitches, they'll just sit on that and just sit on your fastball."
The Nationals on Tuesday also lost right-handed pitcher Abel de Los Santos, claimed on outright waivers by the Cincinnati Reds. De Los Santos appeared in two major league games for Washington last season, allowing one earned run on two hits in 1 2/3 innings.