Barring setback, Strasburg to throw bullpen Monday

WASHINGTON -- After missing his scheduled start Friday night with right forearm tightness, Stephen Strasburg did not throw before Saturday's game against the Phillies. He will play catch Sunday and, barring any setbacks, throw a bullpen session on Monday, according to manager Davey Johnson.

Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty and the team's medical staff have told Johnson that Strasburg is unavailable to start before Thursday. To accommodate for the right-hander's absence, Johnson is planning to give Ross Ohlendorf another start Wednesday instead of starting Gio Gonzalez on short rest.

"I don't know how you could do it any other way. But it all depends," Johnson said. "I was hoping that [Strasburg] could go Wednesday and everybody's in line, but [McCatty and the medical staff] don't feel that's doable. So, we'll have to see how he goes this week. And then if he doesn't [feel ready], we could always put him in whenever."

Strasburg felt tightness in his forearm while he was experimenting with a new pitch last Thursday, according to Johnson. The injury is not believed to be to be serious.