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Nats not ready to bring up Ohlendorf after rehab start

WASHINGTON -- Nationals right-hander Ross Ohlendorf, who is on the disabled list because of an inflamed right shoulder, pitched three innings and threw 63 pitches for Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. He allowed one run on five hits while striking out four.

The Nationals were not satisfied with what they saw against the Pawtucket Red Sox, so Ohlendorf will get another Minor League start after all.

"He is not where he needs to be. He needs one more start," manager Davey Johnson said.

Once he's back with the Nationals, Ohlendorf most likely will go back to the bullpen and then replace right-hander Taylor Jordan in the rotation.

Jordan is on an innings limit and has two more starts, after Saturday's game against the Phillies, before his season comes to an end. Jordan had Tommy John surgery in 2011 and is on the same limitation that affected Stephen Strasburg last year.

If Ohlendorf isn't ready to go, right-hander Tanner Roark will be the fifth starter. He was a starter and long reliever while pitching for Syracuse this year, going 9-3 with a 3.15 ERA.

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time. He also could be found on Twitter @WashingNats.
Read More: Washington Nationals, Ross Ohlendorf