Scott Olsen still not throwing

The Nationals gave Scott Olsen a five-day no-throwing program following the shoulder inflammation he experienced in his last start, and that has turned into a seven-day no-throwing program.

Olsen has yet to throw because he and trainer Lee Kuntz feel his shoulder is not strong enough, said Manager Jim Riggleman. The continued weakness in Olsen's surgically repaired shoulder has made the Nationals unsure if he will miss more than the minimum 15 days on the disabled list.

"He just doesn't feel like he's feeling all that strong right now," Riggleman said. "He'd really like to rest a little longer before he does throw."

Riggleman stressed Olsen still may return to start somewhere around June 6, the first day he is eligible to come off the disabled list. "If it goes further than that, that's just the way it's going to be," Riggleman said. "We're really not going to know anything until he does throw, and throw a couple times."

If Olsen can return within three weeks, he would not likely need to pitch in a rehab assignment. If his stay on the disabled list lasts longer than that, he probably will need to throw in a minor league game before returning.

Before leaving his start last Thursday against the Orioles with stiffness in his left shoulder, Olsen had pitched like one of the league's most effective starters for a month. Overall, he is 2-2 with a 3.77 ERA. Before his loss to the Orioles, He had a 1.11 in his previous five outings.

J.D. Martin, who is 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA for Syracuse, is most likely going to start for Olsen against the Padres on Saturday. The Nationals would also need a starter, at least, on June 3.