Nothing sinister about Strasburg shutdown

by Phil Wood

I can't find any fault with the Nationals opting to DL Stephen Strasburg. They were going to have to make a roster move today anyway to clear a spot for Scott Olsen, and it gives them time to make sure that the shoulder issue doesn't turn into a more serious, more debilitating problem.

Strasburg will presumably continue with his regular between-starts routine and be activated once the 15 days - retroactive to June 22 - is up. Obviously, it extends the amount of time he'll be able to play before hitting that 160 inning limit.

I've got to believe that the DL trigger was the number 109; he threw 109 innings last year, and has reached just beyond that by a smidgen. Giving him a break now is perhaps more of a "why not?" thing than anything else, and it guarantees a longer look in September.

Looks like rain is on its way to South Capitol Street - let's hope it's brief.