Reds' minor league right-hander Luis Atilano was suspended 50 games after a second violation for a drug of abuse.

Atilano has two appearances this season between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville. The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since he made 15 starts with the Nationals back in 2010.

Reds signed RHP Luis Atilano to a minor league contract.

Atilano missed most of 2011 while recovering from surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. He'll just be a warm body for them at Triple-A.

Nationals outrighted RHP Luis Atilano to Triple-A Syracuse.

The Nats designated Atilano for assignment last week. The 25-year-old right-hander went 6-7 with a 5.15 ERA over 16 starts with the Nationals last season before undergoing surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow in August. He will report to spring training shortly.

Nationals transferred RHP Luis Atilano from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Atilano underwent season-ending surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow in early August and will not be healthy again until the start of spring training next February. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Bryce Harper, who inked a major league contract late Monday night.

Luis Atilano underwent season-ending surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow last Thursday.

We knew he would eventually require surgery anyway, but it appears his elbow didn't respond well to a recent cortisone shot. The 25-year-old right-hander wraps up his rookie season at 6-7 with a 5.15 ERA and 1.49 WHIP over 16 starts. He's unlikely to have much fantasy value to speak of moving forward.

Nationals placed RHP Luis Atilano on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury.

Atilano has floating chips in his elbow. He'll eventually require surgery, but for now will get a cortisone shot and attempt to pitch with the ailment following a DL stint.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said that Luis Atilano has "floating chips" in his right elbow.

Atilano will go on the disabled list and receive a cortisone shot back in Washington. He'll need surgery eventually, but will try to pitch out the rest of the season for now.

Luis Atilano is headed to the disabled list with a sore right elbow.

According to Atilano, the elbow has been hurting for several weeks. That gives at least some excuse for his 9.69 ERA over three starts this month, though he has been getting by with smoke and mirrors for a while now. Matt Chico is one possibility to take his place in the rotation this weekend, but Ross Detwiler and John Lannan figure to return to the majors before long.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said that the team would "re-evaluate" Luis Atilano after he gave up five runs over four innings against the Reds on Tuesday night.

Atilano has a 5.15 ERA through 16 starts this season and has allowed 14 runs over his last three starts, spanning 13 innings. The Nats sent him to Triple-A Syracuse last week in order to keep him fresh and he proceeded to give up five runs over 2 1/3 innings. He's clearly not doing the team much good, so the Nationals will begin considering other options. Ross Detwiler, who has a 3.16 ERA over six starts with Double-A Harrisburg, is one candidate to replace him.

Luis Atilano gave up five runs over four innings in a loss to the Reds on Tuesday night.

After a two-hour and 40-minute rain delay, it's almost hard to remember who actually started this game, though Atilano's performance wasn't anything particularly noteworthy. He served up a three-run homer to Joey Votto in the first inning and allowed two more runs in the fourth before exiting. With a 5.15 ERA through 16 starts with the Nats and a drubbing in the minor leagues last week, it's getting very difficult to justify his place in the starting rotation. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to replace him in the weeks to come.

In spite of a poor performance with Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Nationals manager Jim Riggleman expects Luis Atilano to get the call to start next Tuesday against the Reds.

"Unless I hear different, that's our plan," said Nationals manager Jim Riggleman. "Our plan is that he's going to join us Tuesday. We need a starter Tuesday. That's why we sent him down there to pitch [yesterday], so he'd be ready Tuesday. If Mike or Steve or somebody has a different idea, I guess we'd talk about it. But I think that's on our schedule, for him to pitch Tuesday." Atilano was sent to the minor leagues on July 9 in anticipation of re-joining the team after the All-Star break, but he gave up five runs on seven hits over just 2 1/3 innings on Thursday. He'll probably still make the start next week, but he doesn't deserve to be on your fantasy radar.

Nationals optioned RHP Luis Atilano to Triple-A Syracuse.

Atilano will make one minor league start during the All-Star break in order to stay sharp and then return to the starting rotation against the Reds once the second half resumes.

Luis Atilano allowed eight hits on four earned runs in a loss to the Padres on Thursday night.

Atilano got into trouble early and never really settled in. He's looked shaky in three straight starts and his strikeout rate is awfully low. The 24-year-old probably shouldn't be owned in any fantasy league.

Luis Atilano was tagged for five runs over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Mets on Friday night.

It was the shortest outing of his brief career. The big blow was a bases-loaded triple by Alex Cora in the top of the fourth. Ultimately, an RBI single by Jon Niese chased him from the game. Atilano drops to 6-5 with a 4.72 ERA. With a lousy 37/27 K/BB ratio over 76 1/3 innings, he isn't worthy of attention in any fantasy format.

Luis Atilano limited the Orioles to three runs -- two earned -- in seven innings of work on Sunday but did not factor into the decision of a 4-3 Nationals' loss.

Atilano struck out three, gave up five hits, and issued no walks. Unfortunately for him and the Nationals, four of those hits came in the fifth inning. Atilano was a sneaky rent-a-start with the woeful Orioles on the schedule, but he's not to be trusted with the Mets due up next.

Luis Atilano tossed 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball in a win over the Royals on Tuesday night.

The win broke a three-game personal losing streak. Atilano scattered six hits while fanning five and walking none. The lone run scored on a Scott Podsednik sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. Atilano owns a pretty mediocre 4.52 ERA to go along with an underwhelming 30/25 K/BB ratio over his first 12 starts this season. He's a poor fantasy bet.

Luis Atilano gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings Thursday in a loss to the Tigers.

Atilano has mostly managed to hold his own, but with a 25/25 K/BB ratio through 60 1/3 innings, there's little reason to think it will continue. The Nationals need to do better.

Luis Atilano limited the Reds to one earned run in seven innings Saturday but took the loss.

Atilano had won five of his last six decisions heading into Saturday and still stands 5-2 on the year, but his peripherals suggest that a collapse is soon on the way. He has a 1.45 WHIP and a 22/22 K/BB ratio, even after tonight's start.

Luis Atilano won for the fifth time in six decisions after allowing four runs -- three earned -- in 6 2/3 innings Monday against the Astros.

Atilano has a 4.70 ERA and a 16/21 K/BB ratio in 44 innings, but the wins-loss column sure looks nice. And today's game was the first in which he received overwhelming run support. The Nationals ended up winning 14-4 after scoring four times early of Roy Oswalt and later exploding for nine runs in the seventh.

Luis Atilano beat the Giants by allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings on Wednesday.

This will help his case for remaining in the rotation after Scott Olsen returns. Atilano is now 4-1, but his ERA stands at 4.82 and his 15/19 K/BB ratio in 37 1/3 innings is awfully discouraging. He didn't fan a single batter tonight.