It feels like all injury news is bad. Why can’t anybody be getting healthy?
The biggest news concerns Ross Detwiler. Currently resting with a herniated disc, it is now being reported that he might miss the rest of this season with the injury. This would be a major blow to the Nats, given that he had a 2.76 ERA before going on the disabled list for the first time this year with an oblique. The logical candidate to replace him would be Ross Ohlendorf, but there’s trouble with that idea too.
Jul 31, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Ross Ohlendorf (43) walks off the field with the trainer fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Ohlendorf was officially placed on the disabled list today with shoulder inflammation. The likely cause is his 114-pitch start last Friday, which taxed his arm to the point where his fastball was about ten MPH slower than usual when he entered Wednesday’s 11-1 loss to Detroit. He threw just eleven pitches in that outing, as the Nationals were concerned about his health. The original report was that he would miss the weekend to rest, but it appears that he has not improved and will miss at least two weeks. The move is retroactive to Thursday, meaning he is eligible to return August 16th. In a corresponding move, the Nats have called up lefty reliever Xavier Cedeno.
If Ohlendorf should miss an extended period of time, the Nats may be in trouble. Taylor Jordan is currently doing an excellent job in the rotation in place of Detwiler, but he is on a post-Tommy John innings limit and will not be able to finish the year in that role. If Ohlendorf won’t be healthy to take his place, the Nats would be forced to dip into a lacking Triple A rotation, with undesirable pitchers like Yunesky Maya and Chris Young. The Nats could also sign a veteran to fill the role, like the recently released Ted Lilly. Regardless, the Nationals are not in a great position with the final spot in their rotation.