MIAMI, July 31 (UPI) -- The Washington Nationals Sunday optioned outfielder Marlon Byrd to Triple-A New Orleans.
Byrd's demotion came just before Washington's game at Florida. Byrd, 27 -- who recently won an appeal of a two-game suspension for his aggressive action following his ejection in a game June 4 against Florida -- was batting .248 with 16 RBI in 56 games with the Nationals and Philadelphia this season.
He became expendable when the Nationals acquired Preston Wilson in a trade with Colorado.
"You have Wilson coming here, you have Brad Wilkerson and Jose Guillen in the outfield, and Byrd's time was cut down to almost to nil," said Manager Frank Robinson.
Byrd was acquired by Washington in a trade with the Phillies earlier this season, is in his fourth major league season. He is a .267 lifetime with 13 home runs and 95 RBI.
