Strasburg to undergo MRI after feeling 'pinch' in elbow

The Washington Nationals will be praying to the baseball Gods all day Thursday.

Following the team's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Atlanta Braves, manager Dusty Baker told reporters that ace Stephen Strasburg will undergo an MRI on his right elbow Thursday. The right-hander was forced to leave Wednesday's game - his first since coming off the disabled list earlier in the day - after just 2 1/3 innings of work.

"(He) felt a pinch in the back of his elbow," Baker explained.

The seriousness of the injury is not yet known.

"We're hoping that it's something minor," added Baker.

Strasburg appeared to wince in pain after throwing a pitch to Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz in the third inning that sailed high and outside, far away from catcher Wilson Ramos' target. After delivering one more pitch, he was removed from the game and headed straight into the clubhouse, his glove covering his mouth entirely.

The 28-year-old had been on the disabled list with what the team called right elbow soreness since Aug. 21. Strasburg had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2010.

Baker noted that the team "cleared" Strasburg of all elbow-related issues before activating him for Wednesday.

"He wasn't trying to be a hero," Baker continued. "He said that he felt fine."

Given Strasburg's elbow history, some players in the Nationals' clubhouse were in sombre moods despite the dramatic walk-off victory.

"It was a sad moment because we need Stephen and with what happened we know we’re going lose him for some time," Ramos said afterward.

Strasburg, who signed a seven-year, $175-million extension with Washington earlier this season, owns a 3.59 ERA, 1.108 WHIP, and 179 strikeouts over 145 1/3 innings this year.