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Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo talked about Stephen Strasburg this morning on 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s The Mike Rizzo Show. The 24-year-old right-hander who left his last start after just two innings on the mound with what was later described as a Grade 1 strain of right lat muscle was scheduled to test things out in the bullpen this afternoon in Nationals Park. "We're going to take a look at him today," Rizzo told the show's hosts, Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier. "He's going to make a little side session today about three o'clock and we'll find out where he's at and if he can make his start on Saturday or not." Strasburg played catch yesterday for the second consecutive day and told reporters, including the Washington Post's James Wagner that it was wait-and-see until he threw the side session and saw how it went:
"I can’t really count the chickens before they hatch," Strasburg said. "I just got to take it day by day and just how it feels. It’s going in the right direction. That’s the big thing."
Reports from Nationals Park today say that the side session didn't take place as the Nationals had hoped:
Strasburg DL move will be retroactive to Saturday. Eligible to return June 16.
— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) June 5, 2013
Strasburg is playing catch now. His lat strain won't allow him to pitch off a mound. Davey expects him to make one rehab start and return.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) June 5, 2013
Stephen Strasburg eligible to come off the DL on June 16. #nats plan to all up a starter from Triple-A Syracuse for Saturday's start
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) June 5, 2013
Davey Johnson says Strasburg will go on the DL.Detwiler is not a candidate for the start but rather someone from triple-A
— Craig Heist (@cheistsports) June 5, 2013
Stephen Strasburg to the DL. No corresponding move immediate but #Nats need a starter for Saturday. Won't be Ross Detwiler.
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) June 5, 2013
Mike Rizzo: Strasburg's lat strain was less sore each day but felt enough that Nats didn't want to aggravate. Won't pitch until symptom-free
— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) June 5, 2013
The Nationals' right-hander originally said he hoped he wouldn't have to miss a start at all, but the Nationals are apparently going to wait until there are no signs of the injury which the '09 no.1 overall pick said had bothered him as he warmed up before several of his last starts. No word on which pitcher will replace the Nats' no.1 starter in the rotation. More info when it is available.