The Washington Nationals have placed right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 12) with groin inflammation. It was already known Scherzer was skipping his next start on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. While he believes he’ll be ready within “days not weeks,” the Nationals are sending him to the IL.
The Nationals have also selected the contract of RHP Justin Miller. The club designated RHP Rogelio Armenteros for assignment to make room for Miller on the 40-man roster.
Scherzer tweaked his groin and had to leave the game after just 12 pitches into his latest start on June 11. He had a bullpen session on Monday. While he felt “real progress” Scherzer admitted it wouldn’t be smart for him to take the mound Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Now Scherzer can focus healing his groin. He’ll be eligible to be activated on June 21. Through 13 starts, Scherzer has a 2.21 ERA with a 0.815 WHIP. He’s struck out 104 batters against 14 walks.
Miller, 34, adds an arm to the Nationals’ bullpen. He signed a minor league contract with the club in February. This is his second stint with Washington, spending the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the club.
This season, Miller has appeared in 13 games with Triple-A Rochester. He has a 0.55 ERA and 0.796 WHIP with 29 strikeouts against four walks in 16.1 innings.
