BALTIMORE -- A.J. Cole was preparing to start in Pawtucket for Triple-A Syracuse when he got word Monday afternoon that he was needed in Baltimore to start in place of Stephen Strasburg, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow soreness. Cole had just been optioned back to the Minors on Saturday after spending two days with the Nationals, which included him missing his previously scheduled start in Triple-A on Thursday.
"It's been a weird couple days," Cole said. "This is what the game is, gotta be ready, and that's what I've been getting ready for.