Hughes joins club Sunday

Right-hander Travis Hughes, who was promoted to the big leagues from Triple-A New Orleans on Saturday after T.J. Tucker went on the disabled list, arrived in Texas in time for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
The Nationals were hoping Hughes, 27, could make Saturday's game, but Hughes said he didn't receive the news until after batting practice and was told to leave Sunday morning. Hughes was in Oklahoma City when he received word of his promotion.

On Saturday, the Nationals had only four pitchers available in the bullpen, and manager Frank Robinson had starter Tony Armas Jr. pitch five innings against the Rangers even though Armas gave up seven runs in the first two innings.

Robinson said had Hughes made the game on Saturday, Armas would have been out of the game much earlier.

"It was almost a must that I get five innings out of Tony. Thank goodness it didn't get uglier, because he shut the Rangers down the last three innings," Robinson said. "I could see myself going out there the second and third inning and taking him out under the circumstances."

The Nationals claimed Hughes off waivers from the Rangers on April 7. He was then optioned to New Orleans, where he was 2-4 with a 2.57 ERA and a team-leading six saves. He had 38 strikeouts in 35 innings.

"I was happy when the Nationals picked me up. I thought there would be more opportunity over here," Hughes said. "I thought I would get an opportunity in Texas, but I thought it would take a while. I think it's good to get a fresh start."

Hughes said he was having success for New Orleans because he was throwing strikes, which was a problem for him in the past.

"I try to get ahead of guys and try to put them away. I also try to cut down on my walks. I've been able to calm myself down this year," Hughes said.

Robinson is not sure if Hughes could be a long man out of the bullpen because Hughes was New Orleans' closer.

Injury report: Esteban Loaiza, who was scheduled to start against the Rangers on Sunday, said his neck and back is feeling much better. He hopes to start sometime later in the week.

Loaiza hurt the neck and back, he said, after he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. The injury became worse when he pitched against the Angels last Monday.

"I was sleeping and I woke up with a sore neck and it just went from there," Loaiza said. "I wish I could be pitching today, but I still feel a little bit sore and a little bit stiff. Let's see what happens after today."

On the bench: Robinson gave third baseman Vinny Castilla the day off on Sunday against the Rangers. Jamey Carroll started at the position instead. Castilla is in a 17-for-77 slump, and Robinson said Castilla is not swinging at good pitches.

"His pitch selection is not real good and he is starting to pull everything," Robinson said of Castilla. "Maybe a day off will help him. It's not going to hurt him."

Stat of the day: Entering Sunday's action, Nick Johnson leads the Nationals with 20 multihit games. He has had 18 two-hit games and two three-hit games.

Did you know? Robinson collected his 800th career victory as a manager against the Rangers on June 8, 2003, in Puerto Rico. The Expos defeated the Rangers, 3-2.

On deck: The Nationals go to Pittsburgh to begin a three-game series against the Pirates at PNC Park starting Monday night.

Livan Hernandez will be the Game 1 starter. Hernandez will face the Pirates for the 10th time in his career. He is 2-3 with a 5.50 ERA against them. In his last start, Hernandez lasted 5 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on nine hits, not figuring in the decision as the Nationals won the game, 6-3.

Source: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/