WASHINGTON -- Nationals manager Dusty Baker announced after Saturday's 9-4 loss to the Reds that right-hander Stephen Strasburg will start against Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon. Earlier in the day, Baker had said that the decision was going to wait until game time.
"We are going to have one our main man, Stras, back tomorrow," Baker said. "He can put us back in sync for the remainder of the first half."
Strasburg had been scheduled to start against the Brewers last Sunday but was placed on the disabled list when back problems flared up during warmups the day before. He revealed that he popped two ribs out of place during a weight-training mishap a few weeks ago, causing the issues. He said that it was hard to breathe with the ribs out of place; a chiropractor was called upon to address the issue.
However, on Thursday, Strasburg was able to throw a bullpen session without any problems. He was eligible to come off the DL on Friday, but the Nationals are not expected to make a roster move until Sunday morning.