Strasburg goes on DL; Fedde to start Sunday

WASHINGTON -- Even though the Nationals initially said it was possible Stephen Strasburg would avoid a stint on the disabled list, manager Dusty Baker insisted that nothing had changed in his diagnosis before they eventually decided to place him on the 10-day DL prior to Thursday's series finale against the Brewers with a nerve impingement in his right elbow.
The move, which is retroactive to Monday, was a precaution, Baker said, and one the team had decided on before Wednesday's game. The Nats hope Strasburg will only miss one turn through the rotation. He will continue throwing and doing bullpen sessions during his time on the DL, and Baker said Strasburg will throw a simulated game to clear him before he returns.
"To really test it," Baker said. "As of right now, we're skipping him a start, but if he doesn't come out of the bullpen session like want him to and like he wants to, then we have to take an alternative plan."

The Nationals have the luxury of being patient with Strasburg, considering they have a sizeable lead in the National League East.
Left-hander Sammy Solis was promoted to the Majors on Thursday to take Strasburg's spot on the roster for now and serve as an extra bullpen arm before the Nats' No. 3 prospect per MLBPipeline.com, Erick Fedde, gets called up from Triple-A Syracuse to start Sunday against the Rockies for his MLB debut. He was originally scheduled to start Saturday, but a rainout pushed his debut to one of the games in Sunday's doubleheader. The Nationals have not yet announced which game he will start.

Fedde had a brief stint as a reliever in the Minors earlier this season as potential help for the Nats' bullpen woes. However, he had recently transitioned back into the rotation. All four of his outings this July have been in the rotation, and in 11 2/3 innings this month, he owns a 6.94 ERA. But his most recent outing was more encouraging, as he completed five innings of two-run ball.
Fedde was invited to Major League camp during Spring Training, where Baker came away impressed with his ability to pound the strike zone.