MIAMI -- The Nationals had good news to share about the status of Stephen Strasburg one day after the right-hander was placed on the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his neck. After traveling to Los Angeles to be examined by a neurologist, Strasburg received a shot in his neck, according to manager Dave Martinez, who was not sure exactly what kind of shot he received.
The team will now wait 72 hours for the shot to take effect, and if it alleviates the pain, Strasburg could resume a throwing program shortly thereafter.
"I can't wait to really hone in, get him healthy and get him back," Martinez said. "We miss him. I'm not going to sit here and say that we don't need him, cause we really do. When he's back and healthy, he's going to help us win a lot of games."
Strasburg is expected to rejoin the team Saturday in Miami to continue his rehab. His return to the DL, retroactive to Sunday, came as a surprise after he complained of neck issues Wednesday. He had just missed more than a month with a shoulder inflammation, but Martinez reiterated they have found no issues with his shoulder.
That news is encouraging for the Nationals, who are still hopeful Strasburg can return from the DL quickly and help stabilize their rotation.
"I actually think it's good news," Martinez said. "We know it's not his shoulder. We know exactly what it is. Now it's just getting him better and getting him right. He's one of the best in baseball. We miss him and we need him. But I want him totally healthy and ready to go."
Martinez also announced left-hander Tommy Milone will remain in the rotation in Strasburg's absence. In his first Major League start this season, Milone tossed five innings of three-run ball with six strikeouts and no walks.
MLB Pipeline unveils new rankings
MLB Pipeline unveiled its annual midseason re-ranking of the top prospects in baseball, featuring some new positioning among Washington's top farm hands. The Nats now boast three players on the Top 100 Prospects list in Victor Robles (No. 5), Carter Kieboom (No.35) and Luis Garcia (No. 95), all of whom are 21 years old or younger.
Robles moved up a spot from the sixth-ranked prospect in baseball to the fifth. Robles was activated from the Minor League disabled list on Friday and added to the roster of Triple-A Syracuse, completing his rehab assignment from the left elbow injury he sustained earlier this season. Robles has played in 16 games in the Minors this season, posting a slash line of .298/.441/.319 with seven stolen bases.

Kieboom has continued to mash at the plate. In 90 games between Class A Advanced Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg, he has posted a slash line of .292/.369/.464 with 13 home runs that earned him a spot in the 2018 SirusXM Futures Game.
And the Nats own a new top Minor League arm after this year's first-round selection, Mason Denaburg, surpassed Erick Fedde as the team's top pitching prospect (No. 4 in Washington's system).
Worth noting
• Anthony Rendon and his wife, Amanda, welcomed a new baby girl -- Emma Kate Rendon -- on Thursday night, the couple's first child.