Doug Fister to start season on DL

Nationals Manager Matt Williams said Doug Fister (back) could miss the first three weeks of the season, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports.

Doug Fister will start the season on the 15-day disabled list, and the three weeks is a rough estimate as he will need time to build up his arm strength. Washington is clearly being cautious with Fister, as they should be.

This off-season they made the move to trade with the Detroit Tigers for Fister to solidify their starting rotation. The Nats number four starter is still in line for a big year. The sinker-ball pitcher will see more ground balls turn into outs with a better defense behind him. Not to mention, overall he’ll be facing weaker lineups because he no longer has to deal with a Designated Hitter.

The Nationals strong rotation in my eyes makes them a favorite to win it all. When you have Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman, Doug Fister and Ross Detwiler in your rotation your poised to be a legitimate team. Bear in mind they also have one of the better young players in baseball, in Bryce Harper.

For now, it’s all about Fister not overextending himself to pitch in April, because they’ll need him most in the dog days of summer and obviously if they make the postseason.

Follow Insider and Staff Writer Frank Pimentel on Twitter @FrankTank96

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