Game 124 lineups: Nats at Orioles

BALTIMORE - Well, tonight's opener of the annual Beltways Series has an entirely new and unexpected storyline, huh?

If you missed the news earlier, the Nationals have placed Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list with right elbow soreness and recalled A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse to start tonight in his place. We will certainly be getting more information shortly, but first some background to the situation: Strasburg went through all of his normal between-starts routines over the weekend in Atlanta, including a bullpen session and throwing off flat ground. He also watched video with pitching coach Mike Maddux. There was no outward indication of any issue with his arm.

Cole, meanwhile, rejoins the Nats only two days after they optioned him back to Syracuse when he wasn't used against the Braves. If you're wondering why he's allowed to return fewer than 10 days after he was demoted, there is a provision that allows for this if the returning player is replacing an injured one.

On the bright side, the Nationals have a fully healthy (and recently productive) lineup tonight. And since this game is being played in an American League park, Jayson Werth will serve as DH with Ben Revere starting in left field and batting ninth. They'll have their hands full, though, against Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy, who has impressed since finally getting a chance to start in the big leagues earlier this summer ...

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Where: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 980 AM, XM 89/869, MLB.com
Weather: Clear, 78 degrees, wind 6 mph left field to right field

NATIONALS (73-50)
CF Trea Turner
DH Jayson Werth
2B Daniel Murphy
RF Bryce Harper
C Wilson Ramos
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Danny Espinosa
LF Ben Revere

RHP A.J. Cole

ORIOLES (67-56)
CF Adam Jones
LF Hyun Soo Kim
3B Manny Machado
1B Chris Davis
RF Mark Trumbo
DH Pedro Alvarez
C Matt Wieters
2B Jonathan Schoop
SS J.J. Hardy

RHP Dylan Bundy