Strasburg to DL, Ohlendorf to start Saturday

The Washington Nationals will place right-hander Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right lat muscle, according to various reports. Strasburg, who was pulled after just two innings on Friday against the Braves, will be eligible to return to the team on June 16th.

The 24-year old, who is 3-5 with a 2.54 ERA on the season, felt tightness in his right side while pitching against the Braves, and was pulled for precautionary reasons. He had an MRI on his side, and it was determined that he is suffering from a strain in his right lat muscle, close to the oblique. After throwing off flat ground in recent days, Strasburg was expected to throw a bullpen session today, but was scratched from participating after his condition showed no improvements.

Strasburg joins rotation-mate Ross Detwiler (strained oblique muscle) on the disabled list, where he has been since May 15th. The lefty will make a rehab start soon in hopes of being able to re-join the Nationals within the next couple of weeks, meaning that the team's starting rotation will likely be at full strength when Strasburg returns on June 16th.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, righty Ross Ohlendorf will start in Strasburg's place on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins. The 30-year old former Yankee, Pirate, and Padre was scratched from his start with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday night, in a clear indication that the team was considering a promotion. On the season, Ohlendorf is 4-5 with a 4.32 ERA in eleven starts for Syracuse, and will at least make one start in Strasburg's place.

Because Ohlendorf was signed to a minor league deal over the offseason, he is not on the team's 40-man roster, so the team will need to make a corresponding move to clear a roster space. The team already did some house-cleaning within the pitching staff this week, designating relievers Henry Rodriguez and Zach Duke for assignment.