Strasburg scratched with illness, Roark starting vs. Braves

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

April 13, 2016, 10:55am

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Stephen Strasburg has been scratched from tonight's scheduled start against the Braves due to what the Nationals say is an illness. Tanner Roark will pitch in his place, starting a day earlier than originally planned.

Strasburg was set to make his second start of the season, facing the same Atlanta lineup he beat one week ago with six innings of one-run ball. The right-hander appeared to be under the weather earlier this week, though, prompting the postponement of his outing.

Roark was due to start Thursday afternoon's series finale, but he can easily be bumped up to tonight's assignment because he's still pitching on five days' rest. The right-hander started last Thursday's home opener against the Marlins, giving up four runs and nine hits in only four innings sandwiched around an 85-minute rain delay.

It's not yet clear if Strasburg will now start on Thursday instead. If he can't, the Nationals would need to find an emergency starter because everyone else from their rotation would have to pitch on short rest.