BOSTON — It just keeps getting worse for the Washington Nationals.
The morning after he appeared in Washington’s 8-7 loss to the Boston Red Sox, right-handed reliever Craig Stammen was placed on the 15-day disabled list with what the team termed “right forearm stiffness.”
Stammen said all of his initial tests were “positive” but he will have an MRI exam in the next few days.
“I think any time it’s in that part of your arm, everybody jumps to worst-case scenario. But hopefully that’s not the case,” Stammen said. “All the tests came back that it isn’t the case. But you never know. I’m optimistic about it, and hopefully it’s calmed down in a few days.”
To fill Stammen’s vacancy, the team recalled right-hander Taylor Jordan from Triple-A Syracuse. Jordan, a starter by trade, has the capability to pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen should that need arise in the next few days, manager Matt Williams said.
“He’s got the ability to do it. We’ve seen it in spring training,” Williams said. “He’s done it. He’s come in after the starter’s come in. It’s not something that is his norm, but it’s not a normal circumstance either. So we have to make sure that we have length, given the fact that the bullpen’s been taxed a little bit recently.”
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Stammen said the discomfort in his arm has been lingering but reached a tipping point Sunday, when he pitched a scoreless eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. “It got to the point where I had to reach deep down to get through some pitches,” he said.
Stammen took off Monday and felt well enough Tuesday morning to tell Williams that he would be able to pitch that night against the Red Sox. He threw seven pitches and faced two batters before leaving the game.
The right-hander had been one of the few bright spots in a flailing Nationals bullpen. He had not allowed an earned run in four innings this season and had two holds. His appearance Tuesday night was his fourth in five days. Xavier Cedeno had also pitched frequently, appearing in five of seven games and warming up during a sixth, before being designated for assignment Tuesday.
Stammen said he does not blame his frequent usage for the injury.
“I put it all on me, because I told them I could pitch,” he said. “And if I tell them I can pitch, then I should pitch. If I tell them I can’t pitch and they pitch me, then you can argue that the manager made the wrong decision. But because I told them that I could pitch, that meant I could pitch.”
Stammen will join right-hander Casey Janssen, who has rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder, on the 15-day disabled list. The group was already in flux following the departures of Tyler Clippard, who was traded to the Oakland Athletics, and Jerry Blevins, who was dealt to the New York Mets.
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When asked about the bullpen, general manager Mike Rizzo said he’s not concerned.
“Unfortunately the plans that we came into spring training with with Janssen and that group haven’t panned out yet,” he said. “But I like the stuff that both [Aaron] Barrett and [Blake] Treinen are bringing out of the bullpen. I think that they’re going to continue to improve and progress. I think that although Matt’s trying to solidify roles at this point, I think that we’re going to see the bullpen come into shape and be effective.”
As for Stammen, he isn’t yet sure what his rehabilitation process will entail, or how long he will be out.
“You never really know until you get an MRI,” he said, “but all the tests and stuff came back positive enough to where hopefully it won’t be too much longer than 15 days.”
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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