Nationals rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg had reconstructive elbow surgery Friday that could keep him out of the starting rotation until the 2012 season.

Nyjer Morgan's wild week has landed him an eight-game suspension, one of nine punishments handed out Friday by Major League Baseball following a brawl between Washington Nationals and Florida Marlins.

All the protective bubble wrap in the baseball world couldn't protect Stephen Strasburg from the devastating setback known as Tommy John surgery.

The Washington Nationals and No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Harper were heading toward a deadline to get a deal done Monday.

The Nationals' Stephen Strasburg had some pointed words for fellow No. 1 draft pick Bryce Harper: "If he doesn't want to play here, then we don't want him here."

Most of his teammates already were out on the field for batting practice when Stephen Strasburg wandered into the home clubhouse at Nationals Park on Wednesday.

The Washington Nationals got their ace a year ago. Now, they think they've found a big-time slugger.

Stephen Strasburg was sent to the minor leagues on Saturday by the Washington Nationals, who told baseball's top pitching prospect he needed to slow down his delivery from the stretch in order to speed up his arrival in the majors.