Julian Fernández: Everything you need to know

Triple-A Rochester placed Fernandez on its 7-day injured list May 14 due to an unspecified injury. The 31-year-old reliever made three appearances for the Nationals back in late April but has otherwise spent the entire season at Rochester, with whom he's turned in a 3.27 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB in 11 innings across 13 appearances. Since he hasn't appeared in a game in over a month, Fernandez could require a rehab assignment in the lower minors before returning to the Triple-A bullpen.

The Nationals optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday. Fernandez has appeared in three games since getting called up to Washington on Monday, allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters over four innings. The 30-year-old reliever will now head back to the minors, where he owns a 4.70 ERA through 7.2 frames, though he could be invited back to the big leagues later in the year if/when the Nationals need bullpen help.

The Nationals recalled Fernandez from Triple-A Rochester on Monday. He'll be taking the spot in the bullpen previously occupied by lefty Andrew Alvarez, who was optioned to Rochester after tossing 4.1 innings of long relief in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Giants. Fernandez, 30, had posted a 4.70 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 7.2 innings with the Triple-A club this season and is likely to be ticketed for low-leverage work while he's up with Washington.