Detwiler cleared to start Wednesday for Nats

Left-hander Ross Detwiler of the Washington Nationals was cleared on Monday to start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday after coming out of a weekend throwing session without pain in his left side, according to Manager Davey Johnson.

Detwiler felt stiffness in his lower left back after pitching five innings last Friday against the New York Mets.

"I told (pitching coach Steve) McCatty, he was raving about the 'pen and so was (general manager Mike) Rizzo, and I said, 'Let's make sure he has a good night's sleep and didn't get dehydrated and start spasming up,'" Johnson said.

"I think he's going to be fine. If there was a problem, it would be (Ross) Ohlendorf out of the 'pen, taking his spot."

The stiffness was not related to a right oblique strain that sidelined Detwiler for nearly a month earlier this season.