PHILADELPHIA — The Washington Nationals put ace pitcher Max Scherzer on the 10-day injured list with a mid-back strain before Saturday night’s game here against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Scherzer complained of back issues after his two starts before the All-Star break and made his last appearance last Sunday at home against the Kansas City Royals. He was named the pitcher of the month in the National League in June and has won his last seven starts, giving him a record of 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA and league-high 181 strikeouts.
He was named to the National League all-star team but did not pitch in the game Wednesday in Cleveland. Scherzer has won the Cy Young Award three times and pitched two no-hitters for the Nationals in 2015.
Scherzer was originally slated to pitch Sunday, but the Nationals announced Friday he would not pitch. Anibal Sanchez will get the start here Sunday for Washington. Manager Dave Martinez said before Saturday’s game he was hopeful Scherzer could pitch Tuesday in Baltimore. But about one hour later the team announced Scherzer was going on the IL.
To take his spot on the 25-man roster, the Nationals called up catcher Spencer Kieboom from the Double-A Harrisburg (PA) Senators of the Eastern League. He played in 52 games with the Nationals last season and was hitting .213 for Harrisburg.
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