Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson plans to first use Stephen Strasburg's rotational replacement John Lannan in the team's series against the Atlanta Braves next week, according to the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore.
Strasburg, whose final start is scheduled for Sept. 12 against the Mets, will be shut down next week due to workload concerns. The Nationals will then use the switch as an opportunity to re-order their rotation.
Lannan has started 16 games against the Braves in his career, posting a 9-5 record with a 3.20 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 63 strikeouts and 39 walks in 98 1/3 innings.
Lannan is 2-0 in two starts this season, with his most recent big-league appearance coming against the Braves on Aug. 3, when he surrendered three earned runs in six innings while walking five batters and giving up four hits.
As a team, the Braves have hit just .246/.316/.378 against left-handed pitching this season.
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