The Washington Nationals placed right-handed starter Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday because of an upper back strain.
Strasburg was scratched from his start on Sunday, making it the second consecutive start he has missed because of the pain in his upper back that was a result of working out. The Nationals will make a corresponding move on Monday.
Strasburg’s move to the disabled list is retroactive to June 16. He said after the game that he felt soreness in his back while running prior to Saturday’s game.
“There’s still a lot of baseball to play. I know the team needs me in big spots,” Strasburg said. “I’m going to keep working at it and get back as soon as I can.”
This Nationals are coming off a road trip that included a seven-game losing streak. The New York Mets — dealing with their own layers of turmoil — are three games behind the Nationals. New York comes to Washington on Monday for a three-game series. Joe Ross will start the series opener.
Strasburg joins closer Jonathan Papelbon on the disabled list. It is a place the Nationals’ starter spent a lot of time last season because of ankle and upper back problems (a different back issue then). Strasburg made just 23 starts last season.
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Top prospect Lucas Giolito could be considered to fill-in for Strasburg. Ross will be able to pitch on his normal rest on Monday. Tuesday, the Nationals would need a new starter. That could be Giolito, who last pitched June 22. He was in major league camp this spring and has pitched for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators this season. He has not been dominant in Harrisburg. Giolito has a 3.17 ERA, 72 strikeouts in 71 innings and a hefty 1.42 WHIP.
Austin Voth (2.99 ERA, 1.11 WHIP), who has been pitching well for Triple-A Syracuse, could also be a consideration. A.J. Cole, who has been in the major leagues before, pitched Sunday for Syracuse.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker said swing man Yusmeiro Petit was not an option to start Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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