NATIONALS
Strasburg on DL
BALTIMORE — Stephen Strasburg’s weary right elbow was stiff and in dire need of some rest, so the Washington Nationals put their winningest pitcher on the 15-day disabled list Monday.
The right-hander said he was willing to pitch through the pain for the National League East-leading Nationals, but Manager Dusty Baker had other plans.
“I told him we hadn’t won anything yet and that we had to look at the big picture,” Baker said. “Hopefully he’ll be good in September and hopefully in October.”
Baker also said he expected Strasburg (15-4, 3.59 ERA) to spend the minimum amount of time on the DL.
“He knows how bad we need him to pitch,” he said.
“I had to explain to him that it’s not hero time.”
Asked if he considered it to be a precautionary move, Strasburg replied, “100 percent.”
After bolting to a 15-1 start this season, Strasburg was 0-3 with a 14.66 ERA over his past three outings.
“The recovery after each start started to get a little bit more difficult,” the 28-year-old said. “I felt like I was losing range of motion and wasn’t able to get that back in between starts. I am trying to make it better than it ever was, I guess, and hopefully that will translate into good performance down the road.”
Strasburg missed 17 games from June 19 to July 3 while on the disabled list with an upper-back strain. He hoped to avoid another trip to the DL, but Baker decided it was the right thing to do.
“I feel as a pitcher, a competitor, as long as it’s good enough you think you can just go out there and pitch,” Strasburg said. “I wanted to go out there and give it a go.”
His performance recently suggested it was better just to take a seat for a couple of weeks or so.
“He came to us and we made the decision for him,” Baker said.
Strasburg’s right elbow has been a concern of the team — and the pitcher — since he underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery in September 2010.
Strasburg was scheduled to start Monday night at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles. Washington recalled righty A.J. Cole to start in his place.
RANGERS
Holland to return
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have cleared a spot on their active roster for Derek Holland to make his first start in two months, but they still have to make another move before the left-hander pitches today at Cincinnati.
While the Rangers were off Monday, the team optioned right-hander Nick Martinez to Class AAA Round Rock.
The Rangers will have to make a corresponding move on their 40-man roster before today’s game for Holland, who has been on the 60-day disabled list because of left shoulder inflammation. His last start for Texas was June 20.
Holland is 5-5 with a 5.20 ERA in 14 starts for the Rangers this season. Martinez is 1-3 with a 7.16 ERA in eight games over four starts with Texas.
METS
Shoulder sidelines Matz
SAN FRANCISCO — Just as they hoped to gain momentum for a second-half playoff run, the New York Mets absorbed yet another hit to their vaunted starting pitching rotation Monday when lefty Steven Matz was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.
Though no structural damage was found, Matz was diagnosed with left shoulder tightness.
Right-hander Robert Gsellman will be promoted to take Matz’s spot on the roster. Meanwhile, with Matz down, right-hander Seth Lugo is lined up to start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.
PIRATES
Freese signs extension
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates infielder David Freese has signed a two-year contract extension that takes him through the 2018 season.
The deal announced Monday includes a club option for 2019. Terms of the extension were not immediately available.
“It’s always good to be wanted and the Pirates made that clear when they offered the extension,” Freese said.
The 33-year-old signed a one-year, $3 million contract as a free agent in March and is hitting.276 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI in 107 games. The eight-year veteran has made 58 starts at third base and 26 at first base.
Freese could have become eligible for free agency again after the conclusion of the World Series.