Johnson says Detwiler rehab June 8 for Potomac

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

June 06, 2013, 12:49pm

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Manager Davey Johnson said left-hander Ross Detwiler felt good today after yesterday's bullpen session, and he's been given the green light to go on a rehab assignment. Detwiler, on the disabled list with a back strain, will pitch for high Single-A Potomac Nationals on Saturday night against the Frederick Keys in Woodbridge, Va., at Pfitzner Stadium. "He is doing fine," Johnson said. "He is on target to pitch in Potomac on (June) 8th. He will be limited to 40 to 50 pitches. That should set him up to come back here to start around (June) 13 or 14." If all goes well with Detwiler's back during Saturday's start, he would return to the Nationals to start June 13 at Colorado or June 14 at Cleveland. This is important for the Nationals with Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list. If Detwiler can return, the Nationals would have Nathan Karns as the only remaining substitute to the original starting five. Detwiler is 2-4, 2.78 ERA in eight starts this season with 23 strikeouts, 10 walks in 45 2/3 innings. He hasn't pitched since May 15 at L.A. Dodgers, when he went only three innings, allowing two runs on six hits, two walks and no strikeouts.