<p>WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals reinstated outfielder Juan Soto from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, but last year’s NL batting champion will be limited to pinch-hitting duty for now.</p>
<p>Washington also reinstated right-handed reliever Will Harris from the IL, optioned right-hander Kyle McGowin to Triple-A Rochester and designated utilityman Hernán Pérez for assignment ahead of Tuesday’s opener of a three-game series against NL East rival Atlanta.</p>
<p>Soto has missed 10 games with a strained left shoulder. Manager Dave Martinez said the injury no longer bothers Soto while hitting, but he is not yet ready to play the outfield.</p>
<p>“To have his kind of bat readily available to pinch hit, it’s kind of nice,” Martinez said.</p>
<p>Soto is hitting .300 with two homers and eight RBIs in 14 games. He batted an NL-best .351 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.</p>
<p>Martinez did not provide a timetable for when Soto would return to right field but said he likely would be the designated hitter during this weekend’s interleague series at the New York Yankees.</p>
<p>“The throwing’s still a little bit of a concern,” Martinez said. “I want to make sure that he can go out in the outfield and make some throws when we need him to.”</p>
<p>Harris has yet to pitch this season. His injury was listed as right hand inflammation after initially being diagnosed as a blood clot. After a clot was ruled out, there was concern Harris might have thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that can require surgery.</p>
<p>McGowin has a 4.91 ERA in seven relief appearances.</p>
<p>Pérez is batting .053 (1 for 19) in limited duty. He has made two appearances as a pitcher late in blowout losses, throwing two scoreless innings.</p>
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