WILLIAMSBURG, VA - Former William and Mary lefthanded pitcher Bill Bray (2002-04) had his contract purchased by the Washington Nationals from Triple-A New Orleans and will join Washington Friday night when the Nationals open a weekend series in Milwaukee.

Bray's promotion was made possible when the Nationals placed lefthanded reliever Joey Eischen on the 60-day disabled list with a thickness tear on one of his left rotator cuff muscles.

The Nationals first round selection in 2004 (13th overall), Bray is the only W&M player ever to be drafted in the first round. With New Orleans this season, Bray compiled a 4-1 record with a 3.98 ERA and five saves. He has posted a 5.0/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (nine walks, 45 strikeouts) and has struck out 12.8 batters per inning.

Bray was a two-time all-CAA selection and finished his junior season in 2004 with a 4-4 record and a 2.44 ERA with eight saves while striking out 84 batters and walking just 15 in 59 innings pitched. For his career, Bray sported an 11-10 record with a school record 11 saves, striking out 192 batters in 148 innings pitched.

The Virginia Beach, Virginia product (Ocean Lakes High School) becomes the tenth player in school history to reach the major league level. He signed with the Nationals on July 24, 2004 and received a $1,750,000 signing bonus.