Strasburg's MRI shows "nothing serious" (we're underway)

The Nationals remain optimistic that the injury that landed Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list isn't serious and that the right-hander will be able to return to their rotation soon after getting a positive report from medical tests administered over the last two days.

Results of Strasburg's MRI confirmed the Nationals' initial diagnosis of a strained upper back, encouraging news for the club.

"Nothing serious," manager Dusty Baker said. "As we had hoped it wasn't."

Strasburg was able to throw a full bullpen session this afternoon, another positive development that should set him on a course to return to the mound in the near future. The pitcher was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to June 16, making him eligible to return as soon as Friday.

Today's successful bullpen session doesn't necessarily guarantee Strasburg is good to go. He similarly threw off the mound in Milwaukee on Friday in anticipation of Sunday's scheduled start against the Brewers, but then had to be scratched after feeling a recurrence of discomfort in his upper back while running on Saturday.

Strasburg did get a chiropractic manipulation Sunday and emerged feeling much better than he had to that point.

"Had it adjusted again today and kind of got instant relief," he told reporters that evening in Milwaukee. "So just kind of keeping my fingers crossed."

Update: Tonight's game will begin in a rain delay as storms are pushing through the area of Nationals Park. Stay tuned for updates on a projected start time.

Update II: The Nationals have announced that they expect tonight's game to start at 8 p.m.

Update III: The first pitch of Giolito's big league career came at 8 p.m. We're underway after a 55-minute rain delay.