Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto, who has not played since April 19 because a shoulder injury, will be activated off the injured list before Tuesday’s home game against the Atlanta Braves, manager Dave Martinez said.
The Nationals also will activate right-hander Will Harris (hand) off the IL, while infielder/outfielder Hernan Perez was designated for assignment and right-hander Kyle McGowin was optioned to Triple-A.
Soto still is not fully recovered from his shoulder strain but will be used off the bench as a pinch hitter until he is able to return to the outfield. The 22-year old, in his fourth major league season, was batting .300 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 14 games this season.
Soto is a career .296 hitter with 71 home runs and 225 RBIs over 327 career games. He finished second in voting for National League Rookie of the Year in 2018 as a 19-year old.
Harris, 36, has not appeared in a game this season. He had a 3.06 ERA in 20 appearances in 2020, his first season with the Nationals. He is 23-19 with a 2.85 ERA in 439 career relief appearances over nine seasons for four different teams.
Perez, 30, had just one hit in 19 at-bats this season, while McGowin, 29, had a 4.91 ERA over seven outings.
