Orlando Ribalta: Everything you need to know

The Nationals recalled Ribalta from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. Ribalta has pitched well in the minors this season, boasting a 2.25 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across eight innings with a 7:3 K:BB. He last saw major-league action April 17, when he earned the save against the Pirates after tossing a scoreless ninth inning. Cionel Perez was outrighted to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Nationals optioned Ribalta to Triple-A Rochester on Friday. The transaction comes one day after Ribalta recorded his first career save in Thursday's extra-inning win over the Pirates. Ribalta is clearing out to make room on the roster for Richard Lovelady, who was acquired via trade Thursday.

Ribalta earned the save Thursday against the Pirates, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks while striking out one in the 10th inning. His first career save was a task made tougher by the free runner on second base, but Ribalta worked around that and a leadoff single by striking out Bryan Reynolds and then inducing a game-ending double play. Despite the admirable performance Thursday, Ribalta was the sixth pitcher to come out of the pen and the Nationals didn't have many more places to turn for the 10th inning. It's not likely that the right-hander will see many more leverage situations like this in the future.