The Nationals put right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg on the 10-day injured list, going back to Thursday, with inflammation on the right shoulder. Washington selected right-hander Paolo Espino’s contract and recalled right-hander Ryne Harper from the Alternative Training Site (Fredericksburg), while Espino would start in Strasburg’s place in Sunday’s game against the D-backs.
The right-handed Wander Suero (left oblique stem) was also placed on the 10-day IL. Espino, 34, will start Sunday against Arizona against Washington. It will start his fourth career in Major League and be second as a member of the Nationals. He started on 22 September 2020 against Philadelphia, which allowed three runs on seven hits in four overs. He followed that up with two innings of one hit, pointless relief on Sept. 27 against the Mets.
Harper, 32, did not appear in a game with the Nationals during his first period in 2021.
Strasburg (32) is 0-1 with an ERA of 6.30 in two starts this season.
Suero, 29, appeared in eight games out of Washington’s bullpen and hit a 1.42 ERA (1 ER / 6.1 IP).