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In his fourth start back following a DL stint for an oblique issue, 27-year-old Washington Nationals' lefty Ross Detwiler threw five innings against the New York Mets last night in Citi Field in which he gave up six hits, three runs and two walks in what was a 4-1 game in the Mets' favor when the Nats' starter left the mound. "I thought he threw a whole lot of pitches," Davey Johnson said. "He battled them. He used a lot of his pitches, which I like to see. He was pretty tired there at the end. Threw a lot of pitches in five innings. Hot out there too. But he kept us in there." The start in Citi Field left Detwiler with a 7.32 ERA and .333/.374/.500 line against in 19 2/3 innings pitched since he returned from nearly a month in the disabled list.
According to reports from New York this morning, the Nats' '07 1st Round pick is now dealing with back stiffness that could cause him to miss his next start:
And additional reason for the #nats adding an arm: Ross Detwiler is dealing with some back stiffness on the left side of his back.
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) June 29, 2013
Ross Detwiler came in with a stiff back today. Different side than his past oblique/back issue. Davey said he might need to miss a start
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) June 29, 2013
Detwiler stiff lower back, different area than oblique that had him on DL earlier. Davey doesn't know if he'll make next start.
— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) June 29, 2013
Davey Johnson told reporters this morning, including NatsInsider.com's Mark Zuckerman, that Detwiler showed no signs of discommfort during last night's game:
"'He threw a lot of pitches in five innings,' manager Davey Johnson said. 'I thought he threw the ball well. I didn't notice anything bothering him in the game.'"
Detwiler will test the back during his regularly scheduled side session on Sunday, and if he can't go, Johnson said this morning that right-hander Ross Ohlendorf would likely start in his place when Detwiler's turn in the rotation comes around again next Wednesday against Milwaukee.