Josh Tomlin News

The Nationals need Stephen Strasburg to be in the dugout less and on the mound more.

At the moment, eight players are on the disabled list, and a three of them - Josh Tomlin, Blake Wood and Frank Herrmann - probably will stay there for the rest of the season.

It took 15 pitches for Vinnie Pestano to retire Jeff Baker, who led off the ninth inning for the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.

Washington's starter on Sunday, right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, brings a 9-3 record with a sterling 2.00 ERA into a matchup with the Indians' Scott Kazmir.

Josh Tomlin has spent the past two months going through the tedious rehab process that follows Tommy John surgery.

MLB Team Report - Cleveland Indians - INSIDE PITCH For much of the first two months of the season the Indians' starting rotation was surprisingly good.

On Sunday, third baseman Miguel Cabrera , last year's Triple Crown winner, hit Raburn with a wad of gum as Raburn approached third base after hitting a game-tying homer in the fifth inning.

Detroit's Miguel Cabrera remains the hottest hitter in baseball and leads the AL Central-leading Tigers into this weekend's three-game series against the Indians.

Pitching matchups: RHP Justin Masterson vs. LHP Andy Pettitte Monday at 7:05 p.m.; LHP Scott Kazmir vs.

Corey Kluber brings a 3-3 record with a 4.57 ERA into Friday night's start against the Rays at Progressive Field.

LUBBOCK, Texas Former Texas Tech right-handed pitcher Nathan Karns made his Major League Baseball debut in a start for the Washington Nationals on Tuesday evening against the Baltimore Orioles during the Nationals' 9-3 win over the Orioles at Nationals Park.

Cincinnati's Homer Bailey will start against the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night at Progressive Field.

Pitching matchups : RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Mike Leake Monday at 1:10 p.m. and RHP Zach McAllister vs.

Bob Feller took more pride in serving his country than for anything he accomplished on a baseball diamond.

Zach McAllister has been a reliable starter for the Indians so far this season, and will take the mound Thursday in the series opener against the Red Sox.

The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera connects on a three-run homer off Corey Kluber earlier this month in Detroit.