Washington, DC (My Sportsbook) - The Washington Nationals signed veteran reliever Mike Stanton Wednesday and activated outfielder Ryan Church from the 15-day disabled list.

Stanton, who was designated for assignment by the New York Yankees on June 30 and officially released earlier this week, gives the Nationals a second lefthander out of the bullpen and a pitcher with a wealth of postseason experience. The 17-year-veteran went 1-2 with a 7.07 ERA in 28 appearances with the Yankees before being cut loose.

The 38-year-old Stanton has pitched in the playoffs in 11 of his major-league seasons with Atlanta, Boston, Texas and the Yankees as well as six World Series. During his first stint in the Bronx from 1997-2002, Stanton was a key reliever on three world championship teams.

Church has been sidelined since spraining a ligament in his right rib cage while crashing into the left-field wall during a game at Pittsburgh on June 22. The National League's Rookie of the Month for May, Church is batting .325 with seven home runs and 28 RBI in 57 games.

To make room on the roster the Nationals placed infielders Junior Spivey and Tony Blanco on the 15-day disabled list. Infielder Henry Mateo was also transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.

Spivey fractured his right wrist during batting practice on Saturday and is expected to miss two to three months. Blanco is suffering from a case of vertigo caused by a severe sinus infection.