Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ back-to-back wins; Juan Soto homers in back-to-back games + more Nats news...

Stephen Strasburg is back on the IL with nerve irritation in his neck. Kyle Schwarber has a banged up right knee. Juan Soto — he’s fine, don’t worry. Sorry about that. Yes, Soto just homered in back-to-back games for ... really? For the first time this season? He did hit two in one game earlier this year. But yep, this is really the first time he’s hit home runs in back-to-back games this season. Look out, world. Soto is heating up...

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Two in a row:

Jon Lester strong on short rest for Nationals - (MLB.com)
"When the shorthanded Nationals needed a starter in a pinch, veteran southpaw Jon Lester answered the call."

Nationals win the late innings to beat Braves - (MASN)
"And when the Nats emerged victorious by a margin of 5-3, it felt like an especially hard-earned win, nothing like the blowout they enjoyed the previous night at Truist Park."

Strasburg Stories:

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo concerned about Stephen Strasburg after latest injury - (NBC Sports Washington)
"'I'm going to go 7.5 on the concern level, just because I want to make sure I see the MRI," Rizzo said. "Then I'll have more answers for everybody.'" - Rizzo

Stephen Strasburg placed on 10-day injured list with neck strain - (Washington Times)
"Strasburg spent over a month on the injured list already this season due to right shoulder inflammation. Tuesday was his third start since he was activated again."

Stephen Strasburg neck strain - (MLB.com)
"For the second time this season, Stephen Strasburg is sidelined on the injured list."

Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg returns to IL with neck strain - (WaPost)
"The oft-injured Stephen Strasburg missed more than a month earlier this season with right shoulder inflammation."

Strasburg placed on 10-day IL with neck strain - (MASN)
"The Nationals have placed Stephen Strasburg on the 10-day injured list with a neck strain after sending the right-hander back to Washington for an MRI."

Strasburg's latest ailment has ripple effect on entire staff - (MASN)
"This also has a domino effect on several other members of the Nationals pitching staff, both in the short term and long term."

Nationals place Stephen Strasburg on IL with neck strain, recall Kyle McGowin - (NBC Sports Washington)
“'Every time you walk off the mound after one inning, we have some concern. We've got to get this thing right,' Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said Wednesday morning on 106.7 The Fan’s Sports Junkies."

Other Nats Stories:

Juan Soto hopes a breakout is approaching, with more balls driven in the air - (Washington Times)
"Entering Wednesday, Soto’s expected metrics are right where they should be. According to Statcast, his .316 expected batting average is in the top 2% of the majors. Soto’s expected weighted on-base average is .417, within the top 3% in baseball"

Mason Denaburg still waiting for his shot with Nationals after two surgeries - (WaPost)
"Denaburg has thrown just 20 1/3 professional innings since he was drafted by the Nationals in 2018. And he is now recovering from Tommy John surgery."

MASN's F.P. Santangelo remains off Nationals' broadcasts amid sexual misconduct allegations - (WaPost)
"F.P. Santangelo, the longtime color commentator for MASN broadcasts of Nationals games, last appeared on the air in early May."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Top prospect performers for June 1 2021 - (MLB.com)
"Nationals: Tim Cate, LHP (No. 8), Double-A Harrisburg - Carrying a 5.92 ERA into his start Tuesday, Cate turned in his best performance of the season."

Pipeline Inbox: Where will Leiter and Rocker land? - (MLB.com)
Washington covets [Jackson] Jobe, and because some clubs are skittish about the risk involved with high school right-handers, it's possible that he could get to No. 11."

More Like Stephen Hamburger - (Defector)
"The guy who took the mound Tuesday against the Braves was unrecognizable: The fellow in the Strasburg jersey struck out Dansby Swanson with a pitch MLB’s tracking system identified as a changeup, but which was in fact an 89-mph fastball."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Reading Fightins ballpark renovations needed to keep MLB affiliation - The Morning Call
Reading Fightins could lose Phillies affiliation if major stadium renovations are not done

Bob Brenly apologizes for du-rag dig at Marcus Stroman - (NY Post)
"Diamondbacks TV analyst Bob Brenly on Wednesday apologized for an insensitive comment directed toward Marcus Stroman that he issued a night earlier."

Richard Bleier Is Striking Out Batters Now - (FanGraphs)
"Tasked with breaking the ice on Marlins reliever Richard Bleier, though, this is how I would start."

RHP Shane Greene could join Braves’ bullpen in coming days - (AJC.com)
"There is 'a chance' that right-hander Shane Greene will be back in the Braves’ bullpen in the coming days, manager Brian Snitker said Wednesday."