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Stephen Strasburg Scratched With Forearm Tightness; Nationals Expect Strasburg To Make Next Start

When Stephen Strasburg's name was not listed in the lineup released by the Washington Nationals this afternoon, speculation began as to the reason the 25-year-old right-hander was scratched from what would have been his 29th start of the season...

USA TODAY Sports

According to reports out of Nationals Park this afternoon, 25-year-old Washington Nationals' right-hander Stephen Strasburg was scratched from his scheduled start against the Philadelphia Phillies with forearm tightness. Here's what Nats' skipper Davey Johnson told reporters on the scene in the nation's capital when he met with the press before the start of the Nationals' three-game series with the visiting Phillies:

The Nationals, through Davey Johnson, seem to be stressing that the issue is unrelated to the '09 no.1 overall pick's surgically-reconstructed right elbow. Strasburg had Tommy John surgery in 2010 after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in a start against the same Phillies he was scheduled to face tonight.

Washington has won six straight heading into tonight's game as they fight to remain alive in the race for the second Wild Card spot. Nationals' right-hander Ross Ohlendorf will take the mound tonight in the series opener with the Phillies in place of Strasburg.

• Here's the Nationals' lineup for tonight's game:

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