WASHINGTON -- Washington Nationals starter Scott Olsen is headed to the disabled list because of tendinitis in his throwing shoulder, another setback for the worst pitching staff in the National League.
The left-hander allowed six runs and nine hits over five innings Saturday in an 8-5 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of a doubleheader, dropping his record to 1-4 and increasing his ERA to 7.24.
Olsen felt tightness in the shoulder during the game, but he kept quiet about it because the Nationals needed a lengthy outing to give the bullpen some rest following a 12-inning loss the night before. He then had an MRI and had a cortisone shot.
He'll be placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday, with left-hander Ross Detwiler recalled from Double-A to take the roster spot.
Olsen allowed three home runs in Saturday's game, including two on fastballs that registered only 85 mph. Manager Manny Acta said there was little difference in the speed of Olsen's fastball and curveball.
"He was thinking about his teammates," Acta said. "He wanted to go out there and give us as many innings as he could and pick up his teammates."
Olsen signed a $2.8 million, one-year contract with the Nationals as a free agent in February.
Detwiler is 0-3 with a 2.96 ERA at Double-A Harrisburg. He'll start Monday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.