Strasburg is ‘fine’ after his early exit
The Nationals are hopeful that Stephen Strasburg will make his next scheduled start despite exiting Sunday’s outing after two innings with pain in his forearm.
The right-hander met with team doctors but did not undergo an MRI exam, Washington manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday. A team spokesman later told reporters that Strasburg was diagnosed with a nerve impingement that is no longer a problem, without providing further details.
“The doctor said he’s doing fine. Hoping he’ll progress enough to make the next start,” Baker said.
Following Sunday’s start at Arizona, Strasburg described the problem as slight “achiness” in his forearm and said the early exit was a precaution.
Strasburg (10-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 20 starts) is scheduled to start Friday at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.
The 28-year-old pitcher had Tommy John surgery in 2010. His more recent injuries include a forearm strain last season.
“He said he’s feeling good,” Baker said. “He’s not alarmed, didn’t look alarmed.”
Shortstop Trea Turner, sidelined since June 30 with a right wrist fracture, was expected to have an X-ray, Baker said. Turner fielded grounders before Tuesday’s series opener against the Brewers but did not throw.
Left-hander Enny Romero also left Sunday’s game with an injury, but Baker said the reliever’s back spasms subsided. Injury report: Miami first baseman Justin Bour, who left a game Monday with an oblique strain, was placed on the disabled list. “Usually these really aren’t 10-day things for me,” manager Don Mattingly told MLB.com. “The average is about 28 days or something like that for a rib cage. I think it would be more along those lines than 10 days.” Miami shortstop JT Riddle (biceps tendinitis) also went on the DL. ... The Cardinals placed righthander Adam Wainwright on the disabled list with back tightness, and St. Louis put outfielder Dexter Fowler on the DL because of a strained left wrist . ... Angels right-hander Alex Meyer, on the DL with shoulder inflammation, underwent an MRI exam that revealed no structural damage.
Briefly: The Brewers reportedly agreed to a deal to acquire reliever Anthony Swarzak from the White Sox for minorleague outfielder Ryan Cordell. Swarzak has a 2.23 ERA in 481⁄3 innings this season . ... The Rockies recalled pitcher Carlos Estevez from Triple-A Albuquerque and sent pitcher Jairo Diaz to the minors . ... Toronto relievers Jeff Beliveau and Lucas Harrell have cleared waivers and accepted assignments to the minors.