Ross Detwiler felt discomfort in his lower back for the second time in a couple weeks during a bullpen session yesterday, leading the Washington Nationals to consider whether or not he would be able to make his next start, which was supposed to take place tomorrow night in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. By the time Saturday afternoon's game ended, the Nats had decided the course of action for their 27-year-old left-hander. Davey Johnson sort of made the announcement last night as he talked about how well things were going for the 45-42 Nationals who'd just won their third straight and second in a row against San Diego.
"Everybody is starting to swing the bats better, that's a big concern," Johnson said, "The bullpen is straightened out. It's a big loss losing [Ross Detwiler] but Taylor Jordan has been doing good, so, we're in a good position."
A reporter followed up to ask if the Nationals were ready to make that move official, and Johnson explained that though it hadn't been announced, "[Detwiler] is definitely going to be going on the DL. I don't know when they'll announce it, but he's a tough customer, and he understood the value of getting by this thing. I mean, he got a whole lot of treatment today and so hopefully we can get by it and he'll be good coming back after the break."
The Nationals officially announced the move today as the Nats prepared for the series finale with the Padres. Detwiler was placed on the 15-Day DL retroactive to July 4th with a "lower back strain." The corresponding move will come when Dan Haren is activated from the DL to make tomorrow's start against the Phillies. Taylor Jordan will start Tuesday in the second game of four in Philadelphia.
Detwiler heads to the DL with (2-7) record, a 4.04 ERA, 3.69 FIP, 1.77 BB/9 and 4.92 K/9 in 71 1/3 IP.