Stephen Strasburg will be placed on the 15-day DL before his next scheduled start on Thursday, according to General Manager Mike Rizzo.  Rizzo spoke with reporters in the dugout before the Washington Nationals game with the Chiacgo Cubs.

Rizzo indicated that a "dry" MRI was taken of Strasburg's right elbow and forearm, and showed enough concern over the results that a second MRI, an arthogram where dye is injected to get a more detailed picture, will be performed by team doctors in the next day.  Results of the second MRI should be available within 24 hours of the procedure.

All indications are that RHP Jordan Zimmermann, himself rehabbing from last year's Tommy John surgery, will be recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to make the start for the Nationals against St. Louis on Thursday.

Rizzo said that all evaluations of Strasburg have been, and for now will be, done by team doctors, meaning that Strasburg is currently not scheduled to be seen by Dr. James Andrews, noted expert in elbow injuries and the dreaded "Tommy John" ligament replacement surgery.

Strasburg injured his arm Saturday night in a game with the Philadelphia Phillies.  With one out in the fifth inning of the contest, Strasburg threw a changeup and winced in pain following the pitch, shaking his arm out and indicating to the bench that he needed assistance.

After consultation, he pleaded with Manager Jim Riggleman and the training staff to leave him in the game, but he was pulled and replaced by Craig Stammen.

Strasburg went through his normal day-after-game routine in Philly Sunday before driving back to D.C. to get the first MRI.  Upon his arrival at the park today, Strasburg wanted to do his normal long-toss, but was told not to throw by the training staff.

According to Rizzo, Strasburg has had this type of discomfort in college before, but has pitched through it.  The team is obviously going to take every precaution when it come to its prized prospect, such a big part of the future of baseball in Washington.

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