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Ribalta

Ribalta could potentially make it back to Washington’s bullpen before the conclusion of the regular season, but there is zero reason for them to rush him back. The 28-year-old hit the injured list unexpectedly after experiencing forearm inflammation over the weekend. The positive news is that he’s not facing a lengthy absence.

Ribalta has been one of the few reliable relievers for the Nationals this year, posting a 3.77 ERA and two saves across 43 innings. No word yet on the severity of the injury or how long the Nationals expect him to be sidelined.

It sounds like Ribalta will go on the IL, probably for the rest of the season. He’d been one of the Nationals’ most reliable relievers since being recalled at the beginning of May, amassing a 3.77 ERA in 43 innings. The extent of the injury will likely dictate whether he sticks on the 40-man roster this winter.

Lovelady got the call to face pinch-hitter Derek Hill in the final frame after Orlando Ribalta issued a two-out walk to Kyle Schwarber after a 10-pitch battle that put the tying run on-base. The 30-year-old southpaw wound up surrendering a go-ahead blast to Hill with two strikes that saddled him with both a blown save and a loss. Clayton Beeter is probably Washington’s best ninth-inning option, but he’s had his struggles recently as well. Things continue to be a mess in close ballgames for the Nationals bullpen.

Ribalta returns to Washington’s relief mix for Saturday’s game against the Brewers. The 28-year-old has made a pair of scoreless relief appearances in the big leagues this season in addition to pitching well on the doorstep of the majors.

Your reward for getting a 10th-inning save last night? Rochester. Richard Lovelady will be active for the Nationals tonight and this is the corresponding move for getting him on to the roster.

Beeter couldn’t find his command, walking two and hitting Ryan O’Hearn with a pitch in a game he entered in the ninth with a one-run lead. He didn’t exactly get hit up -- Brandon Lowe’s game-tying single hit two gloves on its way through the infield -- and he also finished out the inning. But it also wasn’t the kind of performance that puts Washington’s closer situation into the “no doubt” category. Orlando Ribalta wound up with the save in the bottom of the 10th, stranding the Manfred Man to close it out.

The 28-year-old has allowed two runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings in Triple-A with a 6/1 K/BB ratio. He has a 7.81 career ERA in 27 2/3 innings and will look to bring that down this season.

Ribalta figures to be up-and-down as a middle relief option for the Nationals this season. Franklin is one of the organization’s better outfield prospects and was added to the club’s 40-man roster during the offseason.

Ribalta, who was sent down six days ago, will rejoin the bullpen. He has a 6.56 ERA in 23 1/3 innings for the Nationals this season.