WASHINGTON — Nationals rookie right-hander Stephen Strasburg first sensed tightness in his pitching shoulder “a couple days ago,” he said Wednesday, chalking it up to “kind of hitting the wall a little bit.”
A day after being scratched minutes before what was supposed to be the 10th major- league start of his much- hyped career, Strasburg said he felt “a lot better” and his range of motion is “starting to come back.”
Washington general manager Mike Rizzo and trainer Lee Kuntz said Strasburg did not indicate he had a problem before Tuesday, when his pregame bullpen session was stopped about a half-dozen throws in.
The plan is for Strasburg to go at least two days — and perhaps three or four — without throwing at all. It’s not clear when he will next pitch.
Angels’ Piñeiro sidelined
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Angels right-hander Joel Piñeiro will miss six to eight weeks after straining a muscle in his left side while warming up for a start against the Red Sox on Wednesday, dealing another blow to Los Angeles’ chase of another playoff berth.
Piñeiro hurt an oblique muscle throwing in the bullpen.
• Newly acquired pitcher Dan Haren expects to make his next start as scheduled despite a bruised forearm.
Sheets’ season is over
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Athletics confirmed what they had feared and announced pitcher Ben Sheets is out for the season because of a torn flexor in his right elbow.
The A’s signed the 32-year- old former all-star to a one- year, $10 million deal in January. He finished the season 4-9 with a 4.53 ERA.
Cubs’ Lee rejects trade
HOUSTON — Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee rejected a trade to the Angels, saying he prefers to finish the season with his team.
Lee said he “really kind of agonized over” the decision, but that he decided the best thing for himself and his family was to stay in Chicago.
Orange cleats prove costly
SAN FRANCISCO — Giants closer Brian Wilson was fined by Major League Baseball for wearing orange cleats during Tuesday’s 6-4 win over the Marlins.
The shoes, a gift from Nike and presented to Wilson at the All-Star Game, apparently violated MLB’s dress code, which requires all players on a team to wear uniforms that conform to his teammates.
Footnotes.
The Phillies placed center fielder Shane Victorino (abdominal strain) on the 15-day disabled list and called up Domonic Brown from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
• The Tigers acquired third baseman Jhonny Peralta from the Indians for minor-league left-hander Giovanni Soto.
• Tigers manager Jim Leyland was suspended one game and fined for inappropriate and aggressive conduct during the bottom of the third inning of Monday night’s game against the Rays.
• The Mariners recalled former Heritage High School left-hander Luke French from Triple-A Tacoma and put struggling starter Ryan Rowland-Smith on the DL.
• The Royals recalled right- hander Bryan Bullington from Triple-A Omaha and optioned right-hander Victor Marte.
• The Dodgers acquired outfielder Scott Podsednik from the Royals for two minor- leaguers.
The Associated Press
