Nats' 'pen moves: recall Bourque, option Ross

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher James Bourque from Double-A Harrisburg and optioned right-handed pitcher Joe Ross to Triple-A Fresno on Saturday. The moves are the latest attempt to improve a bullpen that entered play Saturday with a Major League-worst 7.09 ERA.

Bourque, 25, has impressed since he transitioned to a full-time reliever in 2018. In 14 appearances out of Harrisburg’s bullpen this season, Bourque has a 3-0 record with six saves and a 1.33 ERA with 33 strikeouts against just six walks. This is the first Major League promotion for the Nationals’ 14th-round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft.

“Get that phone call, you’re kind of shaking a little bit,” said Bourque, who received the news late Friday night from Harrisburg manager Matthew LeCroy. “You think you know it’s coming, and you hear it and you’re like, 'Wow, alright.’ I don’t know if it’s really hit me yet. ... It’s been a whirlwind 12 hours.”

Over his last nine outings prior to his promotion, Bourque struck out 22 batters against just two walks. That’s the type of production the Nationals' fluid bullpen desperately needs.

“We bring these guys up and we feel they’re ready and they can help, so he’s going to get an opportunity,” said manager Dave Martinez.

Ross pitched out of the bullpen this year partly out of necessity, but the one-time starter struggled in his new role with a 9.22 ERA in 16 appearances.

The Nationals intend to stretch out Ross at Fresno, leaving open the possibility that he’ll be recalled as a starter down the line. Starters Anibal Sanchez and Jeremy Hellickson are both on the injured list, but Martinez said the plan with Ross is to keep the long-term in mind.

According to Martinez, Ross’ inconsistency this season can be attributed in part to the 26-year-old’s struggles with some of his secondary pitches. The Nationals remain confident the righty can return to the form he displayed before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2017.

“We’re not giving up on Joe, that’s for sure,” Martinez said. “I think this gives him an opportunity to just go out there and get comfortable, stretch him out and really hone in on [his secondary pitches]. At one point, he had an unbelievable slider. Let’s see if we can get his slider back a little bit and get his changeup back against left-handed hitters. I think his changeup needs to be more effective.”

Worth noting

• Sanchez continues to progress from his left hamstring injury. Martinez said that the righty felt no ill-effects after throwing 41 pitches in a simulated game on Friday. He is scheduled to throw a side session on Sunday. Martinez added that Sanchez will most likely make one rehab start before returning to the Nationals' rotation.

“I want to make sure that when he goes out, he throws a good, hopefully, 75 pitches and we’ll go from there,” Martinez said.

• The Nationals recalled outfielder Andrew Stevenson from a rehab assignment and optioned him to Triple-A Fresno.