Washington recalled Downs from Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Downs is expected to get regular playing time on the Nationals' infield following Wednesday's demotion of Luis Garcia, but the 25-year-old former top prospect doesn't offer much immediate fantasy appeal given how poorly he's performed this summer in the minors. In his 45 games (166 plate appearances) between the rookie-level Florida Complex League, High-A Wilmington and Triple-A Rochester this season, Downs was slashing just .165/.319/.308 with three home runs and eight stolen bases.

Downs is expected to be called up from Triple-A Rochester ahead of Friday's series opener against the Reds, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old hasn't exactly put his best foot forward for Rochester this season with a .175/.301/.333 slash line in 36 games, but that won't prevent him from getting a look in the majors. Downs was up with the big club for a few weeks early in the season and saw action in just one contest, but he'll likely see the field more this time around after the Nationals demoted Luis Garcia, who has operated as the primary second baseman all season.

Downs (undisclosed) has gone 6-for-32 (.188 average) with a 7:14 BB:K, five runs, three RBI and a stolen base in 10 games since being reinstated from Triple-A Rochester's 7-day injured list June 28.

EDGE Analysis

Downs had been out of commission at Triple-A since mid-May due to the unspecified injury, but he was cleared to rejoin the Nationals' top affiliate in late June after completing a nine-game rehab assignment between the rookie-level Florida Complex League and High-A Wilmington. The 24-year-old second baseman hasn't experienced any reported setbacks with the injury since being activated, but his season-long struggles at Rochester have persisted nonetheless. He's compiled a .169/.330/.268 slash line over 88 plate appearances and will likely need to find sustained success over an extended period of time before he gets another look from the Nationals.

Downs (undisclosed) began a rehab assignment Thursday with the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate and has gone 0-for-2 with three walks and a run over two games.

EDGE Analysis

Downs has been on the shelf at Triple-A Rochester for nearly a month due to an unspecified injury, but he looks as though he's on the mend. Prior to being deactivated, the 24-year-old infielder hit .154 with no home runs and three stolen bases over 49 plate appearances in the International League.

Triple-A Rochester placed Downs on its 7-day injured list May 14 with an unspecified injury.

EDGE Analysis

After Washington optioned him back to the minors May 3, Downs appeared in just seven games for Rochester before going down with an injury that has now sidelined him for two weeks. The infielder will likely need to get healthy and turn in a productive stretch at Rochester before he gets another call-up to the big leagues.

The Nationals optioned Downs to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Utility man Ildemaro Vargas (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day injured list in the corresponding transaction. Though he had been up with the big club since April 11, Downs appeared in just one game during his time with the Nationals and logged two plate appearances. He'll get a chance to play regularly again once he's back with Rochester.

Downs was recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Rochester.

EDGE Analysis

He'll replace Ildemaro Vargas, who is going on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder strain. Downs had a rough showing in the Grapefruit League this spring and was slashing just .105/.191/.211 through 21 plate appearances this season at the Triple-A level. He has good speed and a bit of power, but the 24-year-old former Red Sox prospect probably won't offer immediate fantasy relevance -- even in deeper NL-only formats.

Downs was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Downs didn't make much of a case for a roster spot this spring, slashing .162/.225/.216 over 18 games. He's yet to produce even an average batting line in two seasons at the Triple-A level, so it's tough to envision a sudden breakout.

Downs (hand) is expected to come off the bench in the Nationals' Grapefruit League game Friday night against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Downs has been held out of exhibition action for much of this week after suffering a left hand contusion on a hit-by-pitch, but he can now continue his charge toward the final spot on the bench in Washington. X-rays turned up negative for any fractures.

Downs was held out of the Nationals' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday due to a contusion on his left hand, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Downs suffered the injury when he was struck by a pitch earlier this week, but X-rays came back negative for any fractures and he should be fine within the next day or two. The former Red Sox prospect is fighting for the final spot on Washington's bench.