Nathaniel Lowe designated by Nats; Crews reinstated off IL

WASHINGTON -- A day after hitting his first career grand slam, starting first baseman Nathaniel Lowe was designated for assignment by the Nationals to make room for the return of outfielder Dylan Crews, who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list on Thursday.

Acquired in a trade from the Rangers for left-hander Robert Garcia in the offseason, Lowe produced 16 homers and 68 RBIs in 119 games. Lowe was earning $10.3 million this season, following an arbitration hearing. He had one year remaining on his contract and would likely have been a non-tender candidate.

Crews, who had been on the injured list since May with a left oblique strain, has a .196/.266/.354 slash line with seven homers and 15 RBIs. The Nationals faced an overcrowding in the outfield with the rookie-year emergence of Robert Hassell III and Daylen Lile. Instead of making a move at that position, the Nats will keep James Wood, Jacob Young, Crews, Hassell and Lile on the roster.

Washington will have to fill the starting first-base role. Josh Bell, who has been at DH this season, can slide back into the role where he has made 858 starts in his career. Infielder Paul DeJong and catcher Riley Adams are also candidates. In the Minor Leagues, No. 20 prospect Yohandy Morales is batting .264 and has logged 426 innings at first base this season with the Red Wings and Senators.