Nats put Strasburg on DL, call up RHP Balester

[cruzg24]

WASHINGTON (AP)—As expected, the Washington Nationals put rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg(notes) back on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and scheduled him for a further test this week on his strained right forearm.

Strasburg was on the disabled list earlier this month with tightness in his right shoulder. This is his first season in the majors after being the overall No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft.

The Nationals aren’t sure when he will pitch again. He will undergo an magnetic resonance imaging arthrogram, where dye is injected into the arm to show contrast, on Thursday.

The Nationals called up right-hander Collin Balester(notes) from Triple-A Syracuse. Washington manager Jim Riggleman said Balester would be used out of the bullpen.

Balester’s stay could be a short one, however. The Nationals have not announced who will take Strasburg’s scheduled start Thursday, and Balester could be sent back to the minors to make room for another pitcher.

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann(notes), sent to Syracuse on Aug. 1 after a minor league rehabilitation assignment following ligament replacement surgery performed in August 2009, could be recalled to make the start.

Riggleman said he had settled on a Thursday starter but would not announce his decision until the official roster move was made.

 

[snipezo]

I hope it isn't serious. I actually like Strasburg. I thought it was an elbow problem though.

 

[cruzg24]

So much for all the hype.... I knew he was going to be some sort of Mark Prior. Now it just shows that the Nationals will have a lot of protecting to do to make sure he stays in the rotation.

 

[The Guid]

So much for all the hype.... I knew he was going to be some sort of Mark Prior. Now it just shows that the Nationals will have a lot of protecting to do to make sure he stays in the rotation.

What are you talking about? Firstly, I'm pretty sure he lived up to at least some of the hype with the way he performed since being called up. Secondly, he goes on the DL with a tight forearm and suddenly he's Mark Prior?

 

[Pugz]

its just jorge overreacting like always

 

[Rios15]

Hopefully this doesn't become a career problem.

 

[RipCity32]

Damn. Hope this isn't a huge setback. I'd like to see this kid succeed for some reason.

 

[cruzg24]

2 MRI's in less than 1 year and he hasnt had a full workload of a season with only 123 1/3 innings. There is belief in Washington that its worse than just a tight forearm as you said.