Washington, DC (My Sportsbook) - The Washington Nationals made a flurry of roster moves following Thursday's 7-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, including placing outfielder Ryan Church on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to June 23) with a sprained ligament in his right rib cage.

The Nationals also activated reliever Joey Eischen from the 60-disabled list, optioned righthander Travis Hughes to Triple-A New Orleans and purchased the contract of infielder Rick Short from New Orleans.

Church, a National League Rookie of the Year candidate, suffered the injury when he crashed into the left-field wall in a game at Pittsburgh on June 22. The 26-year-old is batting .325 with seven homers and 28 RBI this season and was named the NL's Rookie of the Month for May.

Eischen has been sidelined since breaking his right radius while attempting to field a ground ball May 1 against the New York Mets. The veteran lefty was 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA in 15 games before the injury.

Hughes was called up from New Orleans on June 18 and did not allow a run in 4 1/3 innings spanning four appearances. He earned his first major-league win June 19 against Texas.

Short played in one game with Washington earlier this year and singled as a pinch-hitter.

The Nationals also transferred reliever T.J. Tucker, who underwent season- ending elbow surgery Tuesday, from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.