As first reported by TalkNats, the Washington Nationals announced that they had selected the contract of catcher Israel Pineda in addition to the following roster moves on Friday:
- Selected the contract of catcher Israel Pineda from Triple-A Rochester
- Recalled right-handed pitcher Jordan Weems from Triple-A Rochester
- Placed catcher Keibert Ruiz on the 10-day Injured List with a testicular contusion
- Designated left-handed pitcher Jake McGee for assignment
Pineda, 22, hit .258 with 20 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, 71 RBI, 36 walks, three stolen bases, and 49 runs scored in 99 games between High-A Wilmington, Double-A Harrisburg, and Triple-A Rochester. He ranked among Nationals Minor Leaguers in RBI (2nd, 71), home runs (5th, 16), slugging percentage (5th, .458), extra-base hits (6th, 38), and OPS (8th, .783) this season.
Washington’s №23 prospect by Baseball America and №26 per MLBPipeline.com, Pineda has recorded a .429 slugging percentage with 31 doubles, two triples and 30 home runs in 175 games since the start of the 2021 season.
Pineda signed with the Nationals on July 2, 2016, out of Maracay, Venezuela. With his debut, he will become the third member of Washington’s 2016 international class to appear in the Major Leagues, joining right-handed pitcher Joan Adon and infielder Luis García.
