Washington Nationals News: Stephen Strasburg Returns, Dan Uggla Goes On Disabled List
After last night’s gut wrenching loss to the Colorado Rockies, the Washington Nationals could use a spark to get them back on a winning track. Tonight, they turn to Stephen Strasburg, who is now officially activated off the disabled list and will make his first start since he strained his left oblique on July 4 against the San Francisco Giants. In order to make room for Strasburg, the Nats put one of their bench bats in second baseman Dan Uggla on the disabled list with back spasms.
The #Nats have returned from rehab and reinstated RHP Stephen Strasburg from 15-day DL & placed 2B Dan Uggla on the 15-day DL w/back spasms.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 8, 2015
In his most recent rehab start with triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Strasburg went 5.2 innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out 11, and walked no one on 85 pitches (55 strikes). In two starts with the Chiefs, Strasburg went 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA, but he did have 16 strikeouts to only one walk and got his fastball up to 98 miles per hour on the radar gun.
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Before Strasburg went on the disabled list for the second time this season, he was looking dominant. Over his last 15.2 innings in the Major League, he has given up two runs on nine hits, struck out 18 batters, and only walked four. He had given up one hit through the first 3.2 innings against San Francisco before that injury. He will be taking Doug Fister’s scheduled turn in the rotation as Fister was demoted to the bullpen on Thursday night with Joe Ross staying in the rotation.
As for Dan Uggla, the second baseman was a good story when he was able to make the Opening Day roster as a non-roster invitee this spring. However, the 35-year old has done much on the field since his game winning home run on April 28 against the Atlanta Braves. While Uggla has been a good clubhouse guy for the Nats this season, he has only two hits in his last 29 at-bats with two RBI’s and 12 strikeouts.
Even though Uggla has not been very productive, his absence does make the Nationals’ bench thin for the time being. Outside of backup catcher Jose Lobaton, the only options on the bench right now for Williams are Tyler Moore, Clint Robinson, and Danny Espinosa. This season, the Nats’ bench in pinch-hitting situations is hitting .183. That is the second lowest average in the National League with only the team the Nats are trailing in the NL East, the New York Mets, having a lower batting average in those spots (.182).