Scherzer scratched with neck injury

The Washington Nationals have scratched pitcher Max Scherzer from Friday's start against the San Diego Padres with a neck injury. It is the same injury that caused him to exit his start on Aug. 1, but on the other side of his neck, according to MASN's Mark Zuckerman.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker was pragmatic with his response to the news that Scherzer would miss Friday's game.

"(I'm) concerned, but worrying is not going to change it," he said. "We'll just try to find a solution for what caused it."

Scherzer has been a workhorse for the Nationals, going 12-5 with a 2.25 ERA over 24 starts. He already has 160 1/3 innings under his belt - fourth-most in the majors - and is poised to reach the 200-inning plateau for the fifth consecutive season, as long as he can stay healthy.

In his place, left-hander Matt Grace will take the mound for his first career start. Through 34 1/3 innings out of the bullpen, the 28-year-old has notched a 4.46 ERA in 2017.

Scherzer's injury comes as Stephen Strasburg makes his return to the club for Saturday's start. Strasburg hasn't toed the rubber since tossing two innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 23.