7 up: Latos, Burnett among Nats' additions to roster

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals added seven players to their active roster Friday. They recalled catcher Pedro Severino, outfielder Brian Goodwin, right-handers Trevor Gott and Rafael Martín and left-hander Matt Grace from Triple-A Syracuse.
This will be Gott's first Major League stint with Washington, but he made 48 appearance for the Angels in 2015. He was a combined 3-4 with a 4.57 ERA for the Gulf Coast Nationals, Class A Auburn and Triple-A Syracuse. Gott was part of a three-player trade that sent third baseman Yunel Escobar to the Angels.
The Nats also selected the contracts of pitchers Sean Burnett and Mat Latos from Syracuse. To make room for those two players, outfielder Matt den Dekker was designated for assignment and right-hander Joe Ross (right shoulder inflammation) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.
den Dekker was once a favorite of Nationals manager Dusty Baker and came close to making the Opening Day roster. However, he ended up having a disappointing season for Syracuse, hitting .208 with eight homers and 43 RBIs. Goodwin's emergence enabled the Nationals to part with den Dekker.
"It was great for us since we got him. Those roster decisions are often painful," general manager Mike Rizzo said.

This will be Burnett's second stint with the Nationals. Burnett was with them from 2009-12 and was a productive lefty specialist before signing with the Angels as a free agent after the '12 season. Burnett has recovered from Tommy John surgery and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2014. This year, Burnett played for three organizations -- the Dodgers, Braves and Twins -- before he was traded to the Nationals in late August. He had a 2.28 ERA in the Minors before getting the call to the big leagues.
"It wasn't easy. I'll tell you that much," Burnett said. "I had a lot of help and motivation from my family. I felt good and healthy. That was the biggest thing. … I was having fun playing ball because it was so long since I was able to do that."

Latos will be reunited with Baker. The two were with the Reds in 2012 and '13. Latos won 28 games under Baker.
Latos started the 2016 season with the White Sox, and he went 6-2 with a 4.62 ERA. After he was released by Chicago on June 17, Latos signed a Minor League deal with Washington 12 days later.
Latos has made six starts in the Nationals' Minor League system, posting a 1.64 ERA in three starts in Rookie ball before going 1-0 with a 1.06 ERA in three starts for Syracuse.
"I'm stepping into a team that has been really successful this year," Latos said. "Just getting back with [Baker] is helping out a lot. I feel a little more comfortable and a little more acclimated."
Latos is 70-57 with a 3.57 ERA in 188 games with the Padres, Reds, Marlins, Dodgers, Angels and White Sox.