Orioles facing new starter tonight

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

August 22, 2016, 9:59am

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The Orioles won't be facing Stephen Strasburg tonight. The right-hander won't be making his first career start at Camden Yards.

Just when you think that you've got it figured out.

The Nationals unexpectedly have placed Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right elbow. They recalled right-hander A.J. Cole, who will start tonight in his 2016 debut in Strasburg's place.

Cole will be making his second major league start and fourth appearance. He didn't earn a decision last year and registered a 5.79 ERA, with six earned runs (11 total) and 14 hits in 9 1/3 innings. He walked one batter and struck out nine.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards empty anthem.jpg

In his lone start on April 28, 2015, Cole allowed four earned runs (nine total) and nine hits in two innings in Atlanta.

Cole was 8-8 with a 4.26 ERA this season in 22 starts at Triple-A Syracuse. He's never faced the Orioles or any of their batters.

Strasburg was 3-4 with a 6.28 ERA and 1.371 WHIP in seven second-half starts after going 12-0 with a 2.62 ERA and 1.013 WHIP in 16 starts before the break. In his most recent outing, Strasburg lasted only 1 2/3 innings against the Rockies and surrendered nine runs and nine hits. He also walked three batters.

Strasburg missed 17 games from June 16-July 3 with an upper back strain.