Former Tates Creek, UK star Trevor Gott called up by Nationals

The Washington Nationals called up former Tates Creek High School and University of Kentucky star Trevor Gott on Monday, the team announced.

Gott, a 24-year-old right-handed reliever who had spent all of this season in the minor leagues, was 2-0 with three saves and a 3.30 ERA in 23 games for Triple-A Syracuse. All three of those saves came in June, and Gott had a 2.37 ERA in his last 10 games.

The Nationals optioned infielder Wilmer Difo to Syracuse to make room for Gott on the active roster.

Nationals Manager Dusty Baker told The Washington Post the move was made because his bullpen needed depth with the club in the midst of playing on 20 straight days.

“It was a tough decision,” Baker said. “We didn’t want to send Difo out, but we needed the arm and I hear he was throwing the ball pretty good.”

Gott pitched six innings in nine appearances late last season for the Nationals. The right-handed reliever was 0-0 with six strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA.

“It’s hard when you’re not where you want to be,” Gott told The Washington Post. “But you just got to deal with it and keep grinding and work through it and I’m here now. Everything works itself out.”

Gott first reached the majors in 2015 with the Los Angeles Angels when he was 4-2 with 27 strikeouts and a 3.02 ERA in 47 2/3 innings.

The Angels shipped Gott to the Nationals in an offseason trade on Dec. 10, 2015.

Gott was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2013. He was traded to the Angels on July 19, 2014.

▪  The Nationals also activated fellow former Wildcat Joe Blanton from the disabled list on Sunday. The former Franklin-Simpson standout had been sidelined since May 17 with right shoulder inflammation

This story was originally published June 12, 2017 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Former Tates Creek, UK star Trevor Gott called up by Nationals."