The Washington Nationals have called on right-hander Yunesky Maya to suppress the San Diego Padres line-up during a Sunday afternoon rubber match at Nationals Park. Maya was recently called up from Triple-A Syracuse after the Nationals placed starter Tom Gorzelanny on the 15-DL with elbow inflammation.
Maya, 1-4 with a 3.79 ERA in Syracuse, has some potentially filthy stuff as he wowed Spring Training crowds in March with some impressive off-speed pitches. In 2009 Maya won the equivalent of the Cy-Young award in Cuba before defecting from his home country. The 29-year old will have the usual cast of offensive misfits in support of him except second baseman Danny Espinosa who was given the day off. In his place will be infielder Alex Cora.
Sunday's game is the final game between the Nats and Padres before the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies roll into Washington on Monday.
Nationals Line-Up
Roger Bernadina - CF
Ian Desmond - SS
Jayson Werth - RF
Laynce Nix - LF
Michael Morse - 1B
Wilson Ramos - C
Jerry Hairston Jr. - 3B
Alex Cora - 2B
Yunesky Maya - SP