Stephen Strasburg (neck) placed on DL
— -- The Washington Nationals placed Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, one day after the right-hander left his start after only 16 pitches due to neck stiffness.
Nationals manager Matt Williams said that the team wants to find out why Strasburg has been having back and neck problems.
Washington made the move prior to Saturday afternoon's game against the Cincinnati Reds, recalling right-hander Taylor Hill to replace Strasburg on the 25-man roster.
Strasburg, who returned to Washington, D.C., to be examined by team doctors, has struggled in May, failing to reach the fourth inning in four of his last five starts.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick recorded his shortest outing of the season Friday, when he began experiencing tightness in his neck while sitting in the dugout in the top of the second inning.
"[My neck's] pretty stiff,'' Strasburg said after Washington's 5-2 loss. "I don't know why. I felt fine in the first inning. Once I sat down before the second, it kind of tightened up a little bit. It was hard for me to turn my head to the left.''
Strasburg walked Brayan Pena to start the second inning. He shrugged after the pitch, prompting a trainer to go to the mound, and headed for the clubhouse after a brief conversation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related Stories
ABC News Live