Strasburg on inability to get loose: "I don't really know why it is happening"

Manager Davey Johnson announced after Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Braves that Stephen Strasburg would be scratched from Thursday's start. Gio Gonzalez will start the opener against the Marlins while Jordan Zimmermann will get the call Friday. Johnson said Strasburg would now be scheduled to pitch next on Saturday. Strasburg last pitched September 8. If Strasburg does pitch Saturday, that would mark 13 days between starts. Strasburg said today's throwing session went well, but he is having trouble getting loose. Strasburg said he was able to "come through" and that he "felt great" following the workout. "So I don't know what is going on," Strasburg said. "But it I think it works better for the club, instead of drop there and have it potentially have it happen to me in a game, give it a couple of days, have Gio and Jordan go ahead and get it done and get after it on Saturday." Strasburg described how the soreness in his muscle tissue felt and how he would not want it to happen while he is in the middle of a start. He also doesn't understand why he can't get loose in these workouts enough to pitch in a game. "Like I said, I don't really know why it is happening," Strasburg said. "But when it happens, it happens. It is like a really strong cramp. I think it would put us in a bind if I went out there and felt it. Definitely be down some pitchers." He does not believe that the cramps will cause him to be shut down for the season. "I wouldn't say I am too concerned," Strasburg said. "Because when I get nice and loose, it feels 100 percent. The tough thing is getting loose. "They did all the tests. Doctor Wiemi (Douoguih) looked it over, everything was structurally sound. I think it is just part of it being September, and that is pretty much it.