With Gio on DL, Treinen to start Thursday

WASHINGTON -- Nationals manager Matt Williams announced that right-hander Blake Treinen will replace left-hander Gio Gonzalez in the rotation. Gonzalez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with shoulder inflammation.

Treinen has performed well in his two stints with Washington as a starter and reliever. He is 0-1 with a 0.77 ERA in four games. The last time he pitched for the Nationals was May 6 in an 8-3 loss to the Dodgers. In that game, he pitched five innings and allowed three unearned runs.

Because of the outing against the Dodgers, Williams felt Treinen deserved to start against the Pirates on Thursday.

"It's hard to deny him that opportunity after how he pitched against the Dodgers. It's really hard," Williams said. "He was on a limited pitch count. He pitched really well against them. He has been building from there. He has been normal [rest], so he'll be prepared."

Treinen is 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Syracuse.