Stephen Strasburg has been scratched from tonight’s start against the Phillies with what the Nationals are calling forearm tightness. Ross Ohlendorf is starting his his place.
Last season Strasburg threw his final pitch on September 7, as the Nationals shut him down for the stretch run and postseason after he logged 159 innings in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery. This season Strasburg has thrown 170 innings--with a 2.96 ERA and the fourth-best strikeout rate in the league--and there were no plans to shut him down.
UPDATE: Chase Hughes of CSNWashington.com reports that “Strasburg felt the forearm tightness ... during a bullpen session” and manager Davey Johnson indicated that he was working on a new pitch at the time.