Nationals Go to Church

The Washington Nationals today recalled outfielder Ryan Church from Triple-A New Orleans and optioned right-handed pitcher Kevin Gryboski to New Orleans. Nationals Vice President/General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

Church, who will wear No. 19, was hitting .246 with seven homers and 29 RBI in 53 games for New Orleans. The 27-year-old was 10-for-28 (.357) with two doubles, three homers and seven RBI over his last six games there.

After starting the year at New Orleans, the left-handed hitting Church was recalled to Washington April 14, and went on to hit .215 with four homers and 11 RBI in 23 games. He was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg May 19, and then transferred to New Orleans May 27. He was 4-for-19 (.211) with a pair of homers while at Harrisburg.