Nationals put Strasburg on disabled list with elbow soreness

So in a move that a source described as pro-active, Washington placed Strasburg on the DL on Monday. It is uncertain when he will return to the rotation.

The Nationals, comfortably ahead in the NL East, have no bigger issue than getting Stephen Strasburg right for October.

The team has recalled right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse to replace Strasburg on the roster. He had Tommy John surgery in 2010, and signed an seven-year, $175 million extension with the Nationals earlier this year to end his free agency before it began. For what it’s worth, Joel Sherman of the New York Post indicated that the DL stint is more precautionary than anything else.

Injured or not, as the Nationals prepare for what they hope will be a deep run into the postseason, a two-week rest could end up being exactly what their ace needs.

When healthy, he is one of the most effective pitchers in the National League. He has a 3.59 ERA in his 145.1 innings pitched.

Thus far, he is 15-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 2016.

Stephen Strasburg was scheduled to start tonight’s series opener with the Baltimore Orioles in Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

It’s not the first time Strasburg has been slowed by an injury this season.

The 33-year-old Freese is hitting.276 with 12 home runs, 49 RBIs, 54 runs scored, a.355 on-base percentage, .437 slugging percentage and.792 OPS in 107 games in his first season with the Pirates.

While Washington has enough pieces in its starting rotation to survive this setback, it is a more risky contender when Strasburg is healthy.