Today, the Washington Nationals designated RHP Luis Atilano for assignment. The NationalsPR twitter feed is claiming this is directly related to the signing of Adam LaRoche.
Atilano was 6-7 with an ERA of 5.15 in 16 starts from May to July before being placed on the DL with bone chips in his elbow on July 23, 2010. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2003 draft and acquired by Washington in a 2006 trade for Daryle Ward.
Atilano spent the 2007 season recovering from Tommy John surgery before pitching for three Nats affiliates in 2008 (Hagerstown, Potomac, Harrisburg), which earned him a spot on the 40-man roster. With two surgeries on the same elbow, he is unlikely to be claimed despite turning just 26 in May.
UPDATE – Sunday, February 20
Like Martis before him, Atilano has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Syracuse. He will report to the major-league spring training camp as a non-roster invitee.