Nats put reliever Gaudin on DL, reinstate H. Rodriguez

WASHINGTON -- Right-handed reliever Chad Gaudin was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals on Wednesday with an inflamed right shoulder, and the team reinstated right-hander Henry Rodriguez from the DL.

The moves came before Washington hosted the New York Mets on Wednesday night, and manager Jim Riggleman said Rodriguez would be available.

Riggleman also said starting shortstop Ian Desmond will return to the Nationals and be in the starting lineup Thursday against New York. Desmond was away from the Nationals on Tuesday and Wednesday while on baseball's new paternity leave list. Desmond's wife, Chelsey, gave birth Tuesday to the couple's first son, Grayson Wesley Desmond.

Gaudin's move is retroactive to Tuesday. He is 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 10 appearances in 2011.

Rodriguez has been out all season with an inflamed right shoulder. He's been on a rehab assignment at Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. He had a 0.73 ERA, 16 strikeouts and six walks in 12 1/3 innings.

"He's just gotten a little better each time out," Riggleman said. "He's a strong, durable guy that has been able to throw multiple innings."

Rodriguez came to Washington during the offseason in the trade that sent outfielder Josh Willingham to Oakland.

Also Wednesday, the Nationals sent left-hander Lee Hyde outright to Tripe-A Syracuse. He was designated for assignment over the weekend to make room on the 40-man roster for infielder Brian Bixler.