WASHINGTON — The Nationals have placed starting pitcher Max Scherzer on the 10-day disabled list with neck inflammation. Scherzer was scheduled to start Friday against the San Diego Padres but was a late scratch.
Scherzer experienced neck pain on Aug. 1 in Miami, when he pulled himself from a start against the Marlins after just one inning.
Scherzer is 12-5 and has thrown at least seven innings in 14 of his 24 starts this season. He entered play Friday with a 2.25 ERA, second best in the Majors.
Scherzer’s DL stint is retroactive to Aug. 15, meaning he won’t be eligible to return before Aug. 25. Based on the rotation’s current alignment, the Nationals would need a starter Aug. 24 in Houston.
The Nationals growing injury list now includes Scherzer, Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, Trea Turner, Adam Eaton, Brian Goodwin, Ryan Madson, Enny Romero, Ryan Raburn, Stephen Drew, Koda Glover and Joe Ross, among others.
The good news for the Nationals is that Stephen Strasburg is expected to return to the rotation as early as Saturday in San Diego. Strasburg has been out since July 23 with a forearm injury.
Reliever Matt Grace was named the emergency starter in place of Scherzer on Friday.
