Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg reinstated from DL, will start Tuesday

The Washington Nationals reinstated righthander Stephen Strasburg from the 15-day disabled list. The pitcher will start Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park.

The Washington Nationalsreinstated righthander Stephen Strasburg from the 15-day disabled list. The pitcher will start Tuesday night against the Atlanta Bravesat Nationals Park.

The Nationals placed Strasburg on the DL on May 30 with neck tightness. He missed 21 games and made one rehab start with Double A Harrisburg on June 17, allowing one earned run off four hits with six strikeouts in five innings.

Strasburg’s last start with the Nationals came on May 29 against the Cincinnati Reds, when he lasted only 16 pitches in two innings due to the tightness in his neck. He also left a May 5 start against the Miami Marlins after three innings with irritation underneath his shoulder blade.

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Only one of Strasburg’s five starts in May lasted more than 3 2/3 innings: his May 17 outing against the San Diego Padres when he pitched five innings and allowed three runs on five hits.

In 10 starts this season, Strasburg is 3–5 with a 6.55 ERA, 45 strikeouts and 14 walks over 45 1/3 innings.

In a corresponding roster move on Tuesday, the Nationals optioned righthander Joe Ross to Triple A Syracuse. Ross made his MLB debut on June 6 and made three starts this month, going 2–1 with a 2.66 ERA over 20 1/3 innings.

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The Nationals entered Tuesday 37–33, 1.5 games ahead of the New York Mets for the NL East lead.

- Mike Fiammetta