Saturday, May 22, 2010

Olsen placed on DL [updated]

UPDATE AT 7:55 P.M. -- Olsen has now been placed on the 15-day DL with left shoulder tightness. A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow, but the Nats could probably call up a position player and use that extra body on the bench for a week until another starting pitcher is needed next Saturday.

UPDATE AT 3:54 P.M. -- Read the complete, updated story, with quotes from Olsen and Mike Rizzo's answer to the question of whether Stephen Strasburg could replace Olsen and start next Saturday in San Diego, on CSNwashington.com.

Scott Olsen has inflammation in his surgically repaired left shoulder and will miss his next scheduled start, though the Nationals won't make a decision about placing him on the disabled list for several days.

Olsen, who left last night's game after three innings due to tightness in his shoulder, had an MRI which revealed no structural damage, only inflammation near the back of his shoulder. It's a different area than the labrum, which Olsen tore last season.

He'll be restricted from throwing for four or five days, but the Nats can wait to decide their next move. Because they are off Monday, the Nats can pitch everyone on normal rest and won't need another starter until next Saturday (May 29) in San Diego.

The club will wait to decide who would replace Olsen if needed. Manager Jim Riggleman said the Nats could go with a reliever like Miguel Batista if the bullpen is not taxed before then.

For what it's worth, Stephen Strasburg (a San Diego native) is currently lined up to start for Class AAA Syracuse on Saturday on normal rest.

Riggleman said Olsen had actually been experiencing shoulder discomfort since his May 11 start in New York but insisted it was not enough to keep him from pitching. It wasn't until last night's game that the tightness had a tangible effect on his performance.

More to come...

16 comments:

Unknown said...

I doubt that Strasburg replaces him in the rotation.

JayB said...

Not a chance SS comes up before they are 100% sure it will not cost Ted money.

greg said...

i doubt he will either. and i really hope he doesn't, since i have my 6/4 tix.

DJ said...

Mark-

Who do you think will get the call-up? Just leave Batista in the pen.

Bowdenball said...

Terrible news for olsen, but hopefully it won't hurt the bats too much. ReguLar rotation this week, maybe Chico in the spot start next weekend, and then Strasburg- although hopefully olsen is back by then too bc I think we've seen the last of atilano getting out major
leaguers regularly.

Doc said...

To think of all the lost wins on the series of second-rate pitchers over the past seven games, I'd say the hitters need to pick it up big time, with or without pitching support.

You could almost sense the way Olsen was pitching since he came up from the minors, that something had to give. He was pitching with such intensity--a man on a mission. No one has more heart in the rotation than Scott Olsen. I'd say it was the hard slider that got to him. That's one wicked pitch. Its the kind of pitch that has does in a lot of pitchers.

BinM said...

A seven inning game from Stammen would be heartly welcomed at this point; The bullpen is a little ragged with 129 appearances and 39.5% of total innings pitched over 41 games.

Anonymous said...

The Nats destroy pitchers' arms and shoulders. Steven Strasburg should really be concerned once he arrives in DC.

Anonymous said...

Tony FLUSH bunts into an easy popup out and already has a fielding error.

Riggs, come on man. Coach this kid!

Grandstander said...

Chase Lambin could give the Nats a nice versatile position player to keep on the bench until you need to call up a starter. I'd put my money on Chico being the guy they call back up. Hell, he might even stick if Atilano stinks up the place again in his next start.

Jenn Jenson said...

Strassburg in San Diego on Saturday? Count me as one person who wouldn't mind that ... I'll be at the games in San Diego on Saturday and Sunday.

Anonymous said...

I hope this means two things, first Kevin Mench getting the call up so he can play RF while Bernadina plays CF and Nyjer Morgan gets an attitude adjustment on the bench!!! Move number two, trade for Oswalt!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I hope the guy that said the Nats had too much starting pitching is eating his words now.

Sec3 said...

it seems like we're having this same conversation every day, now.
Who do you imagine they have to bring Oswalt, even assuming he would agree (he'd have to--10/5 guy) to come here, which is highly unlikely.

natsfan1a said...

I had a feeling. Hope that the rest will help and that it doesn't develop into something more serious. Was great to see the Olsen of old in recent starts.

N. Cognito said...

FACT: Barring some unforseen event (i.e. injury), Strasburg will not be with the Nats until the next homestand.

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