Washington Nationals place Stephen Strasburg on paternity list, call up Jacob Turner

Washington Nationals’ starter Stephen Strasburg was officially placed on the Paternity List this afternoon, and the Nats announced that Jacob Turner is coming up to start in tonight’s series opener with the Colorado Rockies in Coors Field.

Strasburg, 28, and his wife are expected to welcome their second child over the next few days, and the right-hander is set to rejoin the Nationals’ rotation in time for the rematch with the New York Mets this weekend.

Turner, 25, is an ‘09 1st Round pick by the Detroit Tigers who has 323 ¹⁄₃ innings of major league action on his resume with the Tigers, Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs and White Sox.

He signed a minor league deal with the Nationals this winter and gave up 20 hits and 12 runs, 11 earned, in seven games, two starts and 18 IP in Grapefruit League action.

Turner started the season at Triple-A Syracuse, where he’s made three starts so far, posting a 2.61 ERA, 2.03 FIP, three walks (2.61 BB/9) and 11 Ks (9.58 K/9) in 10 ¹⁄₃ IP.

Dusty Baker told reporters, including MASN’s Mark Zuckerman, that Turner having some major league experience led to him getting the call for this particular start, which takes place in Denver, Colorado.

“[Turner] was the best choice that we had,” Baker said. “We thought about other guys, but we didn’t really want their first start in the big leagues to be in Colorado. He has big league experience [79 games], and Stras is having a second child. If not, it would’ve been Stras out there.”

Turner has made one career start in Coors Field, back in 2013, when he gave up six hits, two walks and two earned runs in a loss.

Strasburg is (2-0) in four starts this season, with a 2.89 ERA, 2.04 FIP, seven walks (2.25 BB/9) and 29 Ks (9.32 K/9) in 28 IP.

Which game of the three with the Mets Strasburg will be starting hasn’t been announced as of yet.