Washington Nationals demote former Detroit Tigers reliever Ryan Perry to Triple-A Syracuse

DETROIT -- At this point, it's probably fair to declare the Ryan Perry and Collin Balester swap a wash.

The Washington Nationals optioned Perry to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and purchased the contract of reliever Mike Gonzalez.

The move comes less than two weeks after Detroit designated Balester for assignment and outrighted the right-hander to Triple-A Toledo after he cleared waivers.

The Tigers traded the right-handed Perry, who had one option remaining, to the Nationals last December for the 25-year-old Balester.?

It appears neither move has paid big dividends as Balester recorded a?6.50 ERA in 18 innings this year for Detroit before his demotion.

A first-round draft pick (No. 21) by the Tigers in 2008, Perry has a 10.13 ERA with two walks and 12 hits in eight innings pitched for Washington this season.?

At the time of the deal last December, Tigers manager Jim Leyland suggested a change of scenery was necessary for the 25-year-old Perry, who went 2-0 with a 5.35 ERA for the Tigers during the 2011 season.

-- Follow James Schmehl on Twitter: @jamesschmehl.

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