Karns was recalled by the Rays Wednesday.

Karns is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Blue Jays in the place of Drew Smyly, who was shut down for the season after hitting an innings limit. He struggled in three starts with the Nationals last season, allowing ten earned runs in just 12 innings of work, including five home runs. He will get another crack at it Friday, and will likely finish the remainder of the season in the Rays' rotation.

Karns will be recalled to start Friday's game for the Rays, the Tampa Tribune's R. Mooney reports.

Drew Smyly was just shut down for the season as he was approaching his innings limit for the season, so the Rays will be looking for someone to fill his spot in the rotation down the stretch. Karns will get the first crack at it Friday against the Blue Jays. In 145.1 innings with Triple-A Durham, Karns has disappointed to the tune of a 5.08 ERA. Still, with the Rays out of the postseason hunt, now is as good a time as ever to see what he has against big-league hitters. Back when Karns was with the Nationals in 2013, he made three major league starts, posting a 7.50 ERA in 12 innings, so it's hard to find reasons to be optimistic about his impending trip to the big leagues.

Rays right-handed pitching prospect Karns tossed seven solid innings for Triple-A Durham on Friday, striking out seven batters while scattering five hits and two walks, allowing one run.

Karns was knocked around in his major league debut with Washington in 2013, and serves as little more than organizational pitching depth for Tampa Bay this season. He has had a rough season, putting up a 5.63 ERA and a 1.424 WHIP, while seeing his K/9 dip to 9.6 and his BB/9 increase to 4.3. Karns could be up later this season, particularly if the Rays trade some starting pitching.

Rays prospect RHP Nate Karns had another solid outing, allowing one earned run on three hits over 7 2/3 innings for Triple-A Durham.

He struck out six batters and issued one walk in the game. Karns, 25, got off to a terrible start this season, registering an 8.20 ERA and 33/18 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 26 1/3 innings (six starts), but he's pitched much better in his last two turns, with a 1.32 ERA and .178 BAA in 13 2/3 frames. If he can continue to exhibit consistency at Durham, Karns should get a chance to pitch at the back end of the Rays' rotation later in the season.

Rays optioned RHP Nate Karns to Triple-A Durham.

Karns was only up with the big club for a couple days and didn't appear in any games. He'll return to Durham's rotation.

Rays recalled RHP Nate Karns from Triple-A Durham.

Acquired from the Nationals over the winter in the Jose Lobaton deal, Karns gets the promotion in spite of an 8.20 ERA with 18 walks over 26 1/3 innings at Durham. He did strike out 33 batters. It appears the Rays will use him in relief for now, but Karns could eventually get a shot to start.

Rays prospect right-handed pitcher Nate Karns had his second consecutive good start for Triple-A Durham, striking out nine.

Karns allowed only two hits, one walk, and one hit batsmen in seven shutout innings. Hit ERA sits at an unsightly 5.59 due to two bad starts to start 2014, but in his past two starts he has a 0.75 ERA and opponents are hitting .132/.214/.211 against him. The Rays rotation is beyond overloaded, so Karns would need a couple of injuries to see time in Tampa Bay that is not as a long reliever.

Rays prospect RHP Nate Karns was hammered for six runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings on Tuesday in his start for Triple-A Durham.

The 25-year-old walked three and struck out nine in the outing. Karns made three uneventful starts for the Nationals last season (7.50 ERA, 11/6 K/BB in 12 innings), and was dealt to the Rays during the offseason in the Jose Lobaton trade. The right-hander was far more successful last season at Double-A Harrisburg, where he posted a 3.26 ERA and 155/48 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 132 2/3 innings. As long as things come together for Karns, he should see considerable time with the Rays in the major leagues this season, possibly as a swingman.

Rays optioned RHPs Nate Karns, Kirby Yates, LHPs C.J. Riefenhauser and Jeff Beliveau, INFs Vince Belnome and Hak-Ju Lee, OFs Kevin Kiermaier to minor league camp; reassigned OF Mikie Mahtook to minor league camp.

No big surprises in this first round of cuts. Acquired from the Nationals last month, Karns tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings this spring, but Erik Bedard and Jake Odorizzi are the likely favorites to fill Jeremy Hellickson's spot in the rotation. Lee was limited to 15 games last season due to a knee injury and should make his major league debut at some point this year.

Nathan Karns pitched 3 1/3 innings of shutout ball as the Rays edged the Blue Jays 5-4 on Wednesday.

Karns, picked up from the Nationals for Jose Lobaton and others last month, has pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings this spring. He's probably not far away from being a decent fifth starter in the majors, but since he's behind a couple of guys on the Rays depth chart, he's probably not going to be on the Opening Day roster.

Rays acquired RHP Nate Karns from the Nationals for C Jose Lobaton and two minor leaguers.

This swap has been in the works for a month. Karns is already 26 years old, but the late-blooming right-hander posted a promising 3.26 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 155/48 K/BB ratio in 132 2/3 innings last season at Double-A Harrisburg. He'll likely open the 2014 campaign with the Rays' Triple-A affiliate in Durham, North Carolina.

Nationals optioned RHP Nate Karns to Double-A Harrisburg.

Karns posted a 7.50 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over three starts with the big club, and he's no longer needed with Ross Detwiler returning. He has a bright future, but the 25-year-old didn't appear to be ready yet.

Nate Karns struggled again Sunday, lasting just 4 2/3 innings while giving up four runs -- three earned -- in a loss to the Braves.

Karns struck out six, but he allowed seven hits and walked one. The 25-year-old has impressive stuff, but he's looked overmatched in his first two major league starts. He might not get another one, but if he does, it will come next weekend against the Twins.

Nate Karns allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Orioles on Tuesday.

It was Karns' major league debut, and the Nationals already had plans to ship the right-hander back to Double-A Harrisburg after the outing. He allowed home runs to Chris Davis and J.J. Hardy in the fourth inning and didn't factor in the decision. Karns has a future in the majors, but that future will be on hold for a while longer after Tuesday.

Nationals recalled RHP Nate Karns from Double-A Harrisburg.

Karns will fill in for Ross Detwiler (oblique) and make his major league debut Tuesday night against the Orioles. The 25-year-old has a 4.60 ERA and 55/18 K/BB ratio in 45 innings over nine starts in Double-A this year. He could be worth a short-term look in NL-only leagues.

The Nationals will call up right-hander Nate Karns to start Tuesday against the Orioles.

Nate Karns allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings and had six strikeouts in his start Friday at Double-A Harrisburg.

Karns didn't make it out of the first inning in his previous outing, so it was a much needed return to form. if Ross Detwiler (back) requires an extended absence, Karns could find his way into the Nationals' plans. He has a 4.38 ERA and 46 strikeouts over 39 innings (eight starts) at the Double-A level this season.

Nationals optioned RHP Nathan Karns to Double-A Harrisburg.

Karns struggled this spring and then suffered a leg injury recently. The 25-year-old remains one of the club's best pitching prospects.

Nationals prospect right-hander Nathan Karns (leg) has been cleared to throw a bullpen session.

Karns recently dealt with a leg issue and was sent for an X-ray and an MRI, but the Nationals didn't see anything to be concerned about. The 25-year-old had a 2.17 ERA and 148/47 K/BB ratio over 116 innings last season between Class A Hagerstown and High-A Potomac and was ranked as the organization's No. 5 prospect by Baseball America over the winter.

Nathan Karns will undergo an X-ray and an MRI on his right leg.

The Nationals aren't sure what's wrong with him, so they're doing a couple different tests in hopes of finding out. Karns was tagged for seven runs -- one earned -- over 2/3 of an inning Friday against the Cardinals.