Diamondbacks Claim Infielder Whitesell From Nationals

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks claimed infielder Josh Whitesell from the Washington Nationals today, as announced by D-backs' Executive Vice President and General Manager Josh Byrnes. Whitesell, 25, hit .284 (110-for-387) with 78 runs scored, 23 doubles, a triple, 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 119 games for Harrisburg (AA) last season. He was originally selected by the Montreal Expos in the sixth round of the 2003 draft after a standout career at Loyola Marymount University. Whitesell was named an Eastern League midseason All-Star last year before being added to the Nationals' 40-man roster after the season ended. The native of Durham, N.C. was batting .125 (2-for-16) with a RBI in seven spring games for the Nationals this season. Whitesell was optioned to Tucson (AAA) prior to the start of the club's game this afternoon. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club announced that left-handed pitcher Bill Murphy has been designated for assignment. Murphy is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA (3 ER in 6.1 IP) with a save and seven strikeouts in five games this spring for the D-backs.