Strasburg slated to make start Wednesday

WASHINGTON -- Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is penciled in to pitch Wednesday against the Mets at Nationals Park. The right-hander last pitched Sunday against the Marlins, leaving the game after four innings because of back tightness.

Strasburg said on Saturday that he feels better, but -- as he put it -- the back problems are not going away, and the injury has to be addressed during the offseason. Asked if he needed minor surgery, Strasburg said, "I really can't answer that right now. I have to talk to the medical staff and figure out how to approach it."

Strasburg will have a bullpen session on Sunday, and if he can't start against the Mets, Tanner Roark is lined up to make the start, according to manager Matt Williams.

"It depends on Stephen. The way it is right now, understanding that Stephen is going to have a [bullpen session Sunday], we'll evaluate after that," Williams said. "Tanner is set for five days from now."

Worth noting

• A few days after having Tommy John surgery, reliever Aaron Barrett was in the Nationals' locker room Saturday and revealed that he also had bone spurs and bone chips. 

"It stinks, obviously, but I know the return rate is good," said Barrett, who appeared in 40 games this season. "I was in good care with Dr. [James] Andrews. I know I'm going to come back even stronger."