Jonathan Papelbon will pitch in the minors for the first time since 2005 this week as he rehabs from the strained right intercostal muscle that landed the Washington Nationals' closer on the DL for the first time in his career.
Washington Nationals' closer Jonathan Papelbon landed on the DL for the first time in his career with a right intercostal strain back on June 14th, retroactive to the 13th, after he suffered the injury warming up for a relief appearance.
"Pap is a guy that has a high tolerance for pain," Nats' skipper Dusty Baker explained when asked about the decision to give Papelbon time off to heal.