June 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Koda Glover (30) throws in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals placed right-handed closer Koda Glover on the 10-day disabled list Sunday with lower back stiffness caused while showering.
The team also reinstated right-handed reliever Joe Blanton from the 10-day disabled list.
Glover, 24, said he felt his back lock up on him while showering before Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers.
Glover admitted he did not notify manager Dusty Baker or the training staff about the injury until after he surrendered three hits and two runs in the ninth as the Rangers tied the game and forced extra innings. It was his first blown save since taking over as the Nationals’ closer last month.
Glover leads all major league rookies with eight saves. He is 0-1 with a 5.12 ERA in 23 games this season.
–Nationals right-handed starter Max Scherzer got the 2,000th strikeout of his career when he fanned Nomar Mazara of the Texas Rangers to lead off the fourth inning on Sunday at Nationals Park.
Scherzer is the third-fastest to reach that mark in terms of innings, only behind Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson.
–Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman was not in the starting lineup against the Texas Rangers, as the leading hitter in the majors is dealing with back issues.
It is the third time in four games that Zimmerman, 32, has not been in the starting lineup.
Zimmerman, a University of Virginia product, entered Sunday leading the majors with a .365 average and was tied for third with 17 homers and was second in slugging at .697.
–The Seattle Mariners activated outfielder Mitch Haniger from the disabled list and optioned outfielder Boog Powell to Triple-A Tacoma.
Haniger missed six-plus weeks with an oblique injury after enjoying a superb start. He was batting .338 with four homers and 16 RBIs in 21 games prior to the injury.
–The Philadelphia Phillies placed second baseman Cesar Hernandez on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique strain.
They activated right-handed reliever Joaquin Benoit from the DL in a corresponding roster move.
Hernandez, 27, suffered the injury while making a throw in Friday night’s loss at Busch Stadium against the Cardinals. He is batting .277 with five home runs and a team-leading 40 runs scored as the Phillies’ leadoff hitter this season.
Benoit, 39, was on the disabled list with a knee injury. He has a 1-2 record with 3.68 ERA and one save in 23 appearances.
