WASHINGTON (AP) -The Nationals activated infielder Aaron Boone from the 15-day disabled list Thursday and inserted him into the starting lineup for the series finale against the New York Mets when Cristian Guzman was unable to play.
Guzman, the shortstop, has been bothered by a thumb injury for several weeks and it flared up during warmups.
Washington manager Manny Acta moved Ronnie Belliard from first base to shortstop and put Boone in at first, batting sixth. Acta said the injury-depleted Nationals can use Boone’s help in the final two months.
“It means a lot,” Acta said.
To open up a spot for Boone, the team placed shortstop Alberto Gonzalez on the DL with a left hamstring strain. The move was made retroactive to Aug. 5.
Boone was out for 30 games after straining his left calf on July 6. He is hitting .258 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 71 games this season.
“Unfortunately, it took a little longer, but that’s in the past now,” Boone said. “It’s just good to be here and hopefully be able to contribute here.”
Gonzalez came to Washington in a July 31 trade with the New York Yankees. He’s batting .462 (6-for-13) in four games with the Nationals.
The Nationals made one other change in their original lineup for Thursday’s game: Will Nieves replaced catcher Jesus Flores, who has a stomach virus, and batted seventh.
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