Nationals recall Severino from Triple-A Syracuse

WASHINGTON (AP) -Left-hander Atahualpa Severino has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse by the Washington Nationals.

The 25-year-old Severino takes the roster spot of closer Matt Capps, who was traded to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.

Severino was 4-2 with one save and a 3.55 ERA in 40 relief appearances for Syracuse. He was unscored upon in 30 of those outings, and held right-handed hitters to a .205 batting average.

He is 26-13 with 21 saves and a 2.97 ERA in 169 minor league games, including 20 starts. Severino has never pitched in the majors and will be available when the Nationals open a three-game weekend series at home against Philadelphia on Friday night.