Rays Vs. Nationals: Rich Thompson To Be Called Up For Series In Washington

The Tampa Bay Rays continue interleague play this week in Washington against the first-place Nationals. After getting swept by the Mets, the Rays responded with a series win over the Miami Marlins. But the Nats will present their toughest interleague test yet, as Davey Johnson's club boasts arguably the best pitching staff in the game. The Rays will face the one-two punch of Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez this week.

But the series will open Tuesday with Chien-Ming Wang on the mound for Washington. Tampa will reportedly call up outfielder Will Thompson for the series in Washington. Thompson was up earlier this year after an eight-year gap between big-league appearances. Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reported late Monday night on the roster move:

#Rays will call up OF Rich Thompson before Tuesday's game to take RHP Gomes spot on the roster.

— RMooneyTrib (@RMooneyTrib) June 19, 2012

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Rays, visit DRaysBay. For more on the Nationals throughout this interleague series, visit Federal Baseball.