Nationals News briefs for AUG 24

The Washington Nationals formally placed phenom rookie on the disabled list, the second stint for the young Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg was placed on the 15 day disabled list, guaranteeing he will miss his next start. Strasburg is suffering from a strained flexor in his right forearm, an injury that forced him out of his last start, after throwing 4.1 innings.

Strasburg, the phenom whose dominance helped define this baseball season, returns to the disabled list just 13 days after he came off of it with inflammation in his right shoulder. “I think that he’s anxious to find out what’s going on,” General Manager Mike Rizzo said. “He felt good today. His elbow felt good. To say he’s a little anxious, a little emotional would be fair to say.”

Strasburg will receive an arthrogam, an MRI test that involves shooting dye into the specified area in order to receive a more detailed look at the injury. “To get more information,” Rizzo said. “It’s a much more intricate MRI. For us to do it in 72 hours, it gives us a chance for it to calm down, for the swelling to go down so we can get a real good picture of it.”

The Nationals are unsure exactly what is the future of Strasburg in terms of the rest of the season. Indications, from a physical standpoint is, Strasburg’s strain may not be the serious, since he is moving his arm well, experiencing no pain, and wants to throw. A more in depth MRI awaits Strasburg.

Zimmerman’s anticipated return . . . Just as Strasburg heads to the DL, the Nationals will welcome back another prized young pitcher, Jordan Zimmerman. Zimmerman had Tommy John surgery late last season and has made 12 rehab starts throughout the Nationals minor league system. In those 10 starts, Zimmerman has pitched 39.2 innings and allowed 7 earned runs. He has an ERA of 1.59. It will be an ex citing thing to watch the return of a prized prospect after serious surgery.

Storen continues to ascend . . . Drew Storen was drafted just 9 slots after Stephen Strasburg. He is a rookie. He is also the new Nationals closer, precisely what he was drafted to be, but much sooner than expected. But, to tell you the level of respect Storen has already received in the club house, the young 23 year old was elected by his teammates to be the new player’s representative to the Major League Baseball Player Association.  +

“I didn’t really know what to expect, because I didn’t know much about the business side,” Storen said. “I was kind of excited about it because I’ve learned a lot. There’s a whole different side of baseball I didn’t really know. To have a hand in fighting for the players’ rights, it’s pretty exciting. It’s pretty cool to be in that position.” “I’m going to be a guy that’s going to fight for the players,” Storen said.

Minor League Movement:  The Harrisburg Senators placed Jason Jones on the DL. They then activated reliever Rafael Martin from the DL.