Nationals place Strasburg on DL with neck tightness
The Washington Nationals are hoping two weeks of rest is all their struggling right-hander Stephen Strasburg needs to regain his All-Star form.
Strasburg was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with neck tightness, a day after leaving his start against the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning after throwing just 16 pitches.
Strasburg, who's failed to complete six innings in six straight starts, was diagnosed with what the team described Friday as tightness in his left trapezius muscle.
"It's pretty stiff," Strasburg told reporters after the Nationals' 5-2 loss. "I don't know why. I felt fine in the first inning. Once I sat down before the second, it kind of tightened up a little bit. It was hard for me to turn my head to the left."
| Last 5 Starts | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 29 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| May 23 | 3.2 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| May 17 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| May 12 | 3.1 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| May 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Strasburg's troubles have intensified since the 26-year-old was forced from his May 5 start due to discomfort underneath his right shoulder blade. After insisting he was fully healed following a visit to the chiropractor, Strasburg suffered the worst outing of his career one week later and hasn't been the same since.
"It's perplexing because it's not anything you can point to," manager Matt Williams said Saturday, noting Strasburg can continue throwing while he's sidelined. "So Stras will go on the DL, and get this thing worked out."
Strasburg, who struck out a personal-high 242 batters and eclipsed the 200-inning barrier for the first time, now owns a career-worst 6.55 ERA and 1.72 WHIP over 10 starts.
Right-hander Taylor Hill was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.