Nationals acquire Spann from Rays

The Washington Nationals have picked up Matthew Spann from Tampa Bay, the club announced Thursday.

The transaction completed an Aug. 23 deal in which the Nationals sent outfielder David DeJesus to the Rays. DeJesus was acquired by Washington from Chicago on Aug. 19 for cash and was shipped to Tampa just four days later, playing in three games for the Nationals.

Spann was originally selected in the 25th-round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Central High School in Columbia, Tenn. The 22-year-old left-hander spent the entire 2013 season in the Midwest League with Class A Bowling Green, going 4-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 appearances for the Hot Rods. MLB.com's Jim Callis gave a brief scouting report of Spann on Twitter earlier in the day:

 

New #Nationals LHP Matthew Spann, PTBN in DeJesus deal w/#Rays: 6-7/220, 86-90, OK curveball, 22 yrs old, 5.3 K/9 as low A reliever.

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) September 19, 2013

Spann began his pro career as a starter before moving to the bullpen this season. In four years as a pro, the 6-foot-7 hurler is 14-5 with a 3.03 ERA in 59 games in the Rays organization.