Nationals' Stephen Strasburg Placed on 10-Day IL with Hand Injury

After making just 16 pitches during Friday's start against the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals star Stephen Strasburg will be placed on the injured list. 

Per MLB Network's Jon Heyman, Strasburg is dealing with injuries to his right hand and thumb. 

Per MASN's Dan Kolko, the Nationals were going to keep Ryne Harper on their roster with Strasburg going on the injured list. 

Washington manager Davey Martinez announced prior to Friday's games against the Orioles that Harper was going to be sent to the team's alternate site, but he was allowed to remain on the active roster since MLB rules permitted 29 players. 

Harper wound up pitching the final two innings in Washington's 15-3 victory. 

Strasburg missed the first two weeks of the season with a nerve issue in his hand. The 2019 World Series MVP made his season debut Aug. 9, allowing five runs in 4.1 innings against the Orioles. He only recorded two outs on Friday night before being removed. 

The Nationals are off to a slow start with a 7-10 record. Losing Strasburg for at least 10 days will make their quest to return to the postseason increasingly difficult, but they still have Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin to anchor the top of their rotation.