Nationals designate Cdn Stairs, add Gomes

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — The Nationals designated Fredricton’s Matt Stairs for assignment on Wednesday to make room on their roster for newly acquired outfielder Jonny Gomes.

Stairs, who holds the major-league record with 23 pinch-hit home runs, was a disappointment for the Nationals. The 43-year-old batted just .154 with two RBIs in 56 games. He was 6 for 39 as a pinch hitter.

Gomes was acquired in a trade from Cincinnati on Tuesday.

He wasn’t in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against Florida because manager Davey Johnson said he wanted to give Gomes a day to get acclimated.

Right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang also returned from his rehab assignment. He is still on the disabled list and is scheduled to pitch Friday against the Mets.

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