BY JIM McCONNELL
WASHINGTON--When outfielder Kory Casto was sent down to the minors Saturday, he expected to be back in D.C. at some point this season.
Just not this soon.
Casto was recalled from Triple-A Columbus yesterday and arrived two hours before the Nationals' 9-3 loss to the Florida Marlins, in time to play left field and bat second.
The Nationals placed center fielder Nook Logan (strained left foot) and shortstop Cristian Guzman (strained left hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list and are expected to purchase the contract of infielder D'Angelo Jimenez from Triple-A Columbus today to fill out the team's roster.
"People always say injuries are devastating," general manager Jim Bowden said. "Well, they are. But they also create opportunity for somebody."
Casto, 25, was the immediate beneficiary. Jimenez will provide depth in the infield, but while Logan is out, Ryan Church will shift to center field and Casto will start in left.
"He's going to play the majority of the time," manager Manny Acta said.
Casto had a fine spring, hitting .280 in 22 games, but his demotion had more to do with the Nationals' crowded outfield than his own performance. He was one of the last cuts of spring training, and Bowden called the decision "devastating" and promised Casto would be among the team's first call-ups.
No one expected the call to come this quickly, especially Casto, who arrived in Columbus Sunday. While the Nationals were losing to the Marlins Monday, Casto was unpacking his belongings. He was watching TV yesterday morning getting ready to eat breakfast when the team called.
Logan was going on the disabled list; Guzman would have an MRI later in the day and join him. Could Casto be in Washington later in the day?
"It's been pretty crazy, but I guess if you want it to happen you want it to happen in a way you can remember," said Casto, who hitched a ride to Washington on a private jet affiliated with the Columbus Clippers.
"You've got to make it a little bit tough on the rookies, right?" Casto added. "So I guess sending me down there and coming back was just the way it was."
Before Casto arrived, Logan walked into Washington's clubhouse on crutches with a bulky boot on his left foot. He said his foot had swelled "like a pregnant lady's foot," but he tried to stay positive after his second injury in two weeks.
He strained his groin March 24 but recovered in time for opening day, only to hurt his left foot making a leaping catch against the center field wall Monday. He is expected to be out two to three weeks.
Guzman, who strained his left hamstring after a groundout Monday, is expected to be out of the lineup for two to three weeks.
Infield shuffle
Josh Wilson started at shortstop last night, but Guzman's prolonged absence means that Felipe Lopez will shift from second base back to shortstop until the Nats' regular shortstop returns.
Ronnie Belliard will start at second base.
"If it's for a while and the team really needs it, I'll be happy to go back," Lopez said.
Lopez fielded groundballs before yesterday's game and though he spent all spring preparing to move to second, he didn't think it would be tough to move back.
"It's not going to be difficult," he said. "Not at all."
Jim McConnell: 540/374-5444