Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates with teammates after the Nationals defeated the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Nationals activate Juan Soto, Will Harris from IL

By Zac Wassink | Last updated May 4, 2021 3:58 PM ET

The Washington Nationals had a solid Tuesday even before taking the field versus the division-rival Atlanta Braves, as they began the afternoon sitting atop the National League East standings at 12-12 and then activated two familiar names.

Washington has confirmed that star outfielder Juan Soto and right-handed relief pitcher Will Harris have both been added to the active roster from the injured list. Soto slashed .300/.410/.460 with a .870 OPS, two home runs and eight RBI across his first 14 games before he landed on the IL with a strained left shoulder on April 20. Harris, meanwhile, hasn't yet debuted this season due to right-hand inflammation.

According to Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington, Soto is only available to pinch-hit versus Atlanta on Tuesday. Weyrich added that Washington designated utility player Hernan Perez for assignment and optioned right-hander Kyle McGowin to Triple-A in corresponding roster moves.

We've reinstated RHP Will Harris and OF Juan Soto from the 10-day IL.#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/keLUNZlcM0
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 4, 2021

Per Maria Torres of The Athletic, Soto may not return to the lineup until he can serve as a designated hitter playing at the New York Yankees this weekend.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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