MILWAUKEE -- After the Nationals lost their seventh straight game on Saturday, manager Dusty Baker announced that Stephen Strasburg will not pitch against the Brewers on Sunday, as previously scheduled. Strasburg's upper back problems flared up during warmups before the 6-5 loss to Milwaukee.
With Strasburg out, it means right-hander Tanner Roark will make the start. Because of the off-day this past Thursday, Roark is able to take his turn on regular rest. He last pitched on Tuesday in a 3-2 loss to the Dodgers. It's not known when Strasburg will return to action. Baker said he is listed as day to day.
On Friday, it looked as if Strasburg would make the Sunday start after he had a light bullpen session that day. Strasburg popped two ribs out of place during a weight-training mishap last week, causing the back problems. Strasburg acknowledged it was hard to breathe with the ribs out of place. A chiropractor later fixed the issue.
"It was some kind of freak thing that must have gone on in the weight room," Strasburg said Friday. "I really don't know why. It kind of threw everything out of sync."
Strasburg also missed his previously scheduled start, on Monday in Los Angeles, because of the back issue.
With Strasburg out, it means right-hander Tanner Roark will make the start. Because of the off-day this past Thursday, Roark is able to take his turn on regular rest. He last pitched on Tuesday in a 3-2 loss to the Dodgers. It's not known when Strasburg will return to action. Baker said he is listed as day to day.
On Friday, it looked as if Strasburg would make the Sunday start after he had a light bullpen session that day. Strasburg popped two ribs out of place during a weight-training mishap last week, causing the back problems. Strasburg acknowledged it was hard to breathe with the ribs out of place. A chiropractor later fixed the issue.
"It was some kind of freak thing that must have gone on in the weight room," Strasburg said Friday. "I really don't know why. It kind of threw everything out of sync."
Strasburg also missed his previously scheduled start, on Monday in Los Angeles, because of the back issue.
