WASHINGTON (AP) - The Washington Nationals have shut down Stephen Strasburg after a shaky start against the Miami Marlins.

Manager Davey Johnson made the announcement Saturday morning. The Nationals had been monitoring the right-hander’s workload, and Johnson says the media attention to his innings was “unbelievable.”

The NL East-leading Nationals had said Wednesday’s start at the New York Mets likely would be his final appearance of the season.

Strasburg allowed five runs and matched his career low by lasting only three innings in the Nationals’ 9-7, 10-inning loss to the Marlins on Friday night.

Strasburg went 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA in his first full season following elbow-ligament replacement surgery on Sept. 3, 2010. He struck out 197
in 159 1-3 innings.

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