AROUND THE HORN

Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg has a strained flexor mass in his elbow and the Nationals don’t know when he will pitch again. Strasburg had Tommy John surgery in August 2011, but an MRI did not reveal any new ligament damage. Strasburg, who came off the disabled list Wednesday after dealing with elbow soreness, started against the Braves but left in the third inning after feeling a pinch in the back of his elbow. Trainer Paul Lessard said this was a new injury and unrelated to the previous problem, adding it was an acute injury that could have happened on one pitch and wasn’t due to stress that built up on Strasburg’s elbow.

Indians: A controversial bases- loaded wild pitch by Astros RHP David Paulino in the third inning resulted in a pair of runs for the Indians, who went on to earn a 10-7 victory. The Indians led 2-1 and had the bases loaded when OF Lonnie Chisenhall attempted to check his swing on a pitch in the dirt. The ball bounced away from C Jason Castro and rolled toward the on-deck circle near the Indians dugout. Play was allowed to continue, although replays showed Chisenhall fouled off the pitch. After a video review, SS Francisco Lindor and DH Mike Napoli were allowed to score for a 4-1 lead and 3B Jose Ramirez was placed at second.

Rays: SS Alexei Ramirez signed with the Rays prior to Thursday night’s game against the Yankees. Ramirez was released by the Padres on Sunday after losing his job as starting shortstop.

Yankees: Rookie 1B Tyler Austin hit a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Yankees their season-high fifth straight victory, 5-4 over the Rays. C Brian McCann hit two homers for the Yankees, who moved within two games of the American League’s second wildcard spot.

Phillies: 1B Ryan Howard hit a three-run homer, RHP Alec Asher pitched six innings of two-hit ball coming off an 80game suspension, and the Phillies defeated the Nationals 4-1. OF Peter Bourjos also homered. Stephen Strasburg, right, does not need another Tommy John surgery. “It’s good to hear that it wasn’t what everybody was speculating that it was,” manager Dusty Baker said.