Littell will operate as a bulk reliever for the Nationals in Friday's game versus the Yankees, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Lefty Carson Palmquist will get the ball first as the Nats' opener. Littell has made 12 starts and six bulk-relief appearances this season and has fared much better in the latter role, holding a 3.03 ERA and 17:7 K:BB over 29.2 innings.