Nats' Baker says Strasburg wouldn't be available for NLCS

WASHINGTON (AP) Nationals manager Dusty Baker says injured right-hander Stephen Strasburg would not be available for the NL Championship Series if Washington were to advance.

Baker says ''it would be a miracle'' if Strasburg progressed enough to be able to pitch in the NLCS.

Baker spoke Thursday before Washington hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers in a win-or-go-home Game 5 of their NL Division Series.

Strasburg has been sidelined since hurting his pitching elbow in early September.

He threw his first bullpen session from a mound last week, then had another session cut short Tuesday because of what Baker said was discomfort in the elbow.