laughs at those comments.Thats great, man, he said. I have a great relationship with them.dddddddddddd Being older, Ive kind of

The Washington Nationals have placed Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow soreness.The right-hander was willing to pitch through the pain for the National League East-leading Nationals, but manager Dusty Baker had other plans.I told him we hadnt won anything yet and that we had to look at the big picture, Baker said Monday. Hopefully hell be good in September and hopefully in October.Baker expected Strasburg (15-3, 3.59 ERA) to spend the minimum amount of time on the DL.He knows how bad we need him to pitch, the manager said. I had to explain to him that its not hero time.Washington recalled pitcher A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse. Cole will replace Strasburg as the Nationals starting pitcher Monday against the Baltimore Orioles.Asked if he considered it to be a precautionary move and if hell be back for the postseason, Strasburg said: A hundred percent I think I was good enough to go, but the recovery in between was becoming more of a challenge.I felt like I was losing range of motion and wasnt able to get that back in between starts, so Im trying to make it better than it ever was, I guess, he said. Hopefully thatll translate to some good performance down the road.After bolting to a 15-1 start this season, Strasburg was 0-3 with a 14.66 ERA over his past three outings.The recovery after each start started to get a little bit more difficult, the 28-year-old said.Strasburg missed 17 games from June 19 to July 3 while on the disabled list with an upper-back strain. Hed hoped to avoid another trip to the DL, but Baker and general manager Mike Rizzo decided it was the right thing to do.We put him on the DL, and hopefully he comes back in 15 days stronger than ever and can recharge and be really strong at the end, Rizzo said. The position that were in at this time in the season, better off getting him right now to fully strong for the tail end of the season.?Rizzo said Strasburg undergoing a precautionary MRI is is a possible option.We have one from when he signed his extension, so we feel we have our arms around whats going on, he said.Strasburgs right elbow has been a concern of the team -- and the pitcher -- ever since he underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery in September 2010.?Being a Tommy John guy, getting through the grind of a season, there is just a little more maintenance that has to go with it, he said.Strasburg said he might change his regimen between starts, opting to work less with weights and more on flexibility.Your arm works a little bit differently when you do have surgery like that, he said.Strasburgs performance recently suggested it was better just to take a seat for a couple of weeks or so.Hes going to be around for a long time ... Baker said. 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The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. BOSTON -- In whats become a regular scene, David Ortiz stepped into the dugout, preparing for batting practice, when a team staff member asked if he was ready.Not far away, a group of fans waited to be brought in, eager to chat briefly with the 40-year-old Ortiz, take a photo and wish him well.In Big Papis final season, everyone who comes to Fenway Park wants their chance to say goodbye -- and its taking a toll on Bostons larger-than-life designated hitter.Very busy. Kind of tired of it, a little worn out, the Red Sox star told The Associated Press before the Kansas City Royals beat the Red Sox 10-4 on Sunday night.Nearing the last month of his 20th regular season, Ortiz at times wishes he didnt pronounce this his final year. The baseball season is long and hard enough, and this goodbye grind is more than he anticipated.My job is kind of tiring, he said. Adding more things to it is a lot. ... Im really busy and not getting to enjoy things.Of course, no one would know that by the way hes hitting.Ortiz hit his 534th homer on Sunday, a solo shot that tied him with Jimmie Foxx for 18th on the career list.Hes batting .319 and leads the Red Sox with 31 homers and 101 RBI, reaching 30/100 for a club-record 10th time -- Hall of Famer Ted Williams is next on the list with seven.His season has been so good, many around the majors have said the slugger should come back for a 21st year.At last months All-Star Game in San Diego, Angels star Mike Trout said, I dont think Big Papi is going to retire. I keep telling him that. With those numbers, I wouldnt.This month, during an on-field ceremony honoring Ortiz in Detroit, Tigers star Miguel Cabrera, speaking in Spanish, pleaded with Ortiz to play another season.Ortiz laughs at those comments.Thats great, man, he said. I have a great relationship with them.dddddddddddd Being older, Ive kind of been like a mentor to them. I know they really appreciate everything, all the talk and all the stuff that we ask a veteran to do with them.I guess when you have somebody that is good with you -- that does good things with you -- you definitely want to have them around.Ortiz doesnt save mentorship for teammates. He often chats with opponents on the field during batting practice and takes pride in others cherishing his advice.I always talk to them. We have that relationship through the years, he said. Its because those guys always come to us for advice. Whenever someone can give you advice, you turn to them as your mentor, somehow, some way.So maybe its no surprise how Big Papi wants to be remembered as a player.Just a friendly person, he said. Terribly friendly with everyone.Ortiz shows up for work hours before each game, getting the treatment he needs to prepare his aching feet and legs. The club has monitored his playing time, giving him planned rest and taking him out in lopsided games.I have to get lined up to different things and I try to be here very early so Im not in anybodys way, he said. Everybody has to do things and get ready. Its not just David Ortiz.But still much of it falls on Ortizs shoulders.On Sunday, before he stepped onto the field for batting practice, a woman stopped him to ask a question:What are you going to do after you retire?Take a long vacation, Big Papi replied.He then posed for a photo with the mom, dad and two children before going out to take his swings.When he returned, another group of fans waited eagerly for their personal farewell. ' ' '