Stephen Strasburg has been scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday after twisting his left ankle during conditioning.
The Nationals star pitcher will miss the game against the Detroit Tigers split squad at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.
Strasburg was scheduled to throw 75 pitches as teams begin to stretch out their starters in preparation for the regular season. Washington is 8-9 thus far in spring training.
A.J. Cole will now start in place of Strasburg.
Washington is looking to build off its strong 2014 campaign where they finished with the best record in the National League at 96-66, cruising to the East title by 17 games. However, the team bowed out in the first round of the playoffs to the San Francisco Giants, who eventually went on to win the World Series.
The Nationals had the lowest earned run average in the National League last season at 3.03 and bolstered its starting rotation further with the signing of Max Scherzer to a mega seven-year, $210 million deal. With Strasburg, Scherzer, Jordan Zimmerman, Doug Fister and Gio Gonzalez, the team boasts a lineup of nearly five aces.
However, with a loaded arsenal of talented arms, manager Matt Williams is holding his cards close to his chest when it comes to naming a starter for Opening Day, an honor that Strasburg has held for the last three years.
Strasburg had a 14-11 record with a 3.14 ERA last year, posting career highs in starts and strikeouts.
The Nationals host the New York Mets in a three-game set on April 6 to kick off the new season.
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By Mitchell Machtinger
Follow me on Twitter: @MMachtinger
