Detwiler will miss a month with herniated disc

WASHINGTON -- Ross Detwiler was back in the Nationals' clubhouse Thursday afternoon after visiting a back specialist in Los Angeles on Wednesday, when he learned he will miss a month with a herniated disc in his back.

Detwiler said that he did not receive an injection in his back, as manager Davey Johnson believed, and the left-hander will not need surgery.

"I look at is as getting good news," Detwiler said. "I can just rest it, still have a chance at the season towards the end."

Detwiler has spent two stints on the disabled list this season with back issues, and he said Thursday that there's "a very good chance" that the injuries are related. He said that he will work on strengthening his core and shoulders but otherwise rest for three weeks before attempting to throw again.

"It's not great. He could've just said, 'You can play with pain' and I could get back out there," Detwiler said, "but it's something that we can actually have a plan for and move forward."