Strasburg on track to start Sunday

Scratched from his most recent start with an upper-back strain following a mishap in the weight room, Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg said after throwing a bullpen session Friday that he expects to start Sunday's series finale in Milwaukee.

"I think that's the plan," said Strasburg, who was replaced by Yusmeiro Petit in Monday's 4-1 loss to Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Strasburg, whose 93 innings pitched in 2016 are 12th-most in the National League, told reporters his back problems surfaced after he popped two ribs out of place in the weight room.

Through 14 starts this year, Strasburg owns a 2.90 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP, posting a 31.9 percent strikeout rate while holding opponents to a .220 average. Strasburg, who signed a seven-year, $175-million extension in May, is also the first pitcher in franchise history to start a season 10-0.