The Washington Nationals are 14 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East after winning the division last season and while this year has been mostly and inconsistent mess, the team is ready to get some strength back in the bullpen as Drew Storen is coming back from the minors.
According to ESPN.com, Storen was optioned from Triple-A Syracuse back to the major league club after being sent down earlier in the summer. Storen was working out of the bullpen through the season as one of the primary relievers, but after going 3-2 with two saves and 5.95 ERA in 47 games he was sent down to work on his mechanics and mental game. Storen now returns to the bullpen behind Rafael Soriano and comes back after putting up no record and a 5.68 ERA in six games with the Chiefs in Syracuse.
The Nationals sent down Ryan Mattheus to make room for him and the 29-year-old leaves after having a 9.45 ERA in nine appearances since returning from a broken right hand and he has gone 0-1 with a 6.26 ERA in 23 games this season. The Nationals are playing way worse than they did last season and one reason has been the offense, as it has basically disappeared.
The team is ranked just 26th in the league in runs with 452, while they are ranked 24th in the league in batting average. The power and patience has not been there as well as the team ranks 26th in on base percentage and 21st in slugging percentage.
