WASHINGTON – The Washington Nationals promoted right-handed pitcher Marco Estrada from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Estrada went 1-2 with a 0.74 ERA in his last four starts with Columbus. He is 9-6 in 25 starts between Columbus and Double-A Harrisburg this season.

Estrada was a sixth-round pick by the Nationals in the 2005 draft. His first appearance will be his major league debut.

Estrada fills the roster spot vacated Sunday when reliever Luis Ayala was traded to the New York Mets.