Nationals put Stephen Strasburg on the DL

Stephen Strasburg’s weary elbow was stiff and in dire need of rest, so the Washington Nationals put their winningest pitcher on the 15-day disabled list Monday.

The right-hander (15-4, 3.59 earned-run average) was willing to pitch through the pain for the NL East-leading Nationals, but Manager Dusty Baker had other plans.

Asked if he considered it to be a precautionary move, Strasburg replied, “One hundred percent.”

After bolting to a 15-1 start, Strasburg was 0-3 with a 14.66 ERA over his last three outings.

Etc.

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder David Freese has signed a two-year, $11-million contract that takes him through the 2018 season. He signed a one-year, $3-million contract as a free agent in March. ...

The Oakland Athletics fined Billy Butler and Danny Valencia after they were involved in a clubhouse fight last week that led to Butler’s being placed on the seven-day concussion list. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that they began fighting over comments Butler made to an equipment representative Friday at Chicago. ...

New York Mets left-hander Steven Matz, diagnosed with shoulder tightness, was placed on the DL.