Taylor Jordan has not pitched for Triple-A Syracuse since June 5 because of right elbow soreness.

"He had an MRI," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "The MRI is fine. We wanted to see, what's the discomfort coming from?" Although the Nats don't seem to be sure exactly what injury Jordan is dealing with, Rizzo did add that the club is "not too worried" about the pitcher potentially needing what would be his second Tommy John surgery. Obviously, Jordan is not going to be an option for the big league club anytime soon.

Nationals optioned RHP Taylor Jordan to Triple-A Syracuse.

This confirms a report from Bill Ladson of MLB.com. Jordan holds a 5.61 ERA across five outings this season and was expected to be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot when Doug Fister (lat) comes off the DL, so the move isn't surprising. The Nationals have recalled reliever Ryan Mattheus to take his place on the active roster.

MLB.com's William Ladson reports that the Nationals will option Taylor Jordan to Triple-A Syracuse.

Jordan lasted just four innings in Sunday's start and holds a 5.61 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across five outings this season. With an off day Thursday, the Nationals won't need a fifth start until Doug Fister (lat) returns from the DL next week.

Taylor Jordan was roughed up by the Angels in Tuesday's start and took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) in five innings.

Jordan will be an answer to a trivia question someday, as he surrendered the 499th and 500th career home runs to Albert Pujols. The first was a three-run shot in the first inning, while the other one was a two-run blast in the fifth inning. Overall, Jordan allowed eight hits, walked none, and struck out five. Jordan will face the Padres in his next outing.

Taylor Jordan was touched up for seven runs -- five earned -- over just 5 1/3 innings in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals.

Jordan struck out four, but he gave up seven hits, walked a pair and hit a batter. He exited with the bases loaded in the sixth and watched Blake Treinen allow all three inherited runners to score. Jordan was excellent in his first start of the season, but he's now been knocked around the last two times out. Luckily for him, the guy he's competing with to remain in the rotation after Doug Fister (lat) returns, Tanner Roark, has also struggled with a 4.64 ERA. Jordan will try to bounce back next week versus the Angels.

Taylor Jordan was hammered for five earned runs over five innings in Saturday's loss to the Braves.

The Braves jumped all over Jordan, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning and netting 10 total hits against the 25-year-old right-hander. He seems likely to move to the bullpen when Doug Fister returns.

Both Taylor Jordan and Tanner Roark will be part of the Nationals' Opening Day rotation following the injury to Doug Fister (lat).

Roark was seen as the favorite to beat out Jordan for the No. 5 spot, but now they'll both get a shot. It's not clear at this point how long Fister will be sidelined, but whoever pitches better of Roark or Jordan over that stretch should get to keep a rotation spot once Fister returns. Jordan has the higher upside of the two.

Taylor Jordan pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball to defeat the Marlins on Monday.

Jordan kept pace exactly with Tanner Roark; Roark gave up one run in 5 2/3 innings against the Mets on Sunday. The Nationals' fifth-starter battle will go right down to the wire. It's not ideal, but the two might pitch once more on Friday and Saturday before a decision is made.

Taylor Jordan gave up four runs and seven hits in three innings versus the Tigers on Friday.

With an 11/0 K/BB ratio in seven innings, Jordan was pitching the best of the Nationals' fifth starter candidates going into this one. This looks like quite a setback when combined with Ross Detwiler's improved performance on Thursday.

Taylor Jordan fanned six while allowing one run in three innings Saturday against the Braves.

Jordan has outshined Ross Detwiler in both of his appearances so far. That doesn't necessarily mean that he's now in the lead in the rotation competition, but he's already improved his chances.

Taylor Jordan started and pitched two scoreless innings as the Nationals edged the Mets 5-4 on Friday.

Jordan has been able to keep pace this spring despite suffering a broken ankle in the offseason. He's battling Ross Detwiler and Tanner Roark for the fifth spot in the Nationals' rotation.

Taylor Jordan (ankle) has already thrown off a mound.

Jordan broke his ankle earlier this offseason, but he's already past it and will have no restrictions this spring. The 25-year-old right-hander will be organizational rotation depth for the Nationals in 2014 and could be a decent fantasy streamer when he's up in the bigs.

Taylor Jordan suffered a broken ankle during the offseason.

No word on when the injury took place, as it was previously unreported, but he is OK now and it doesn't sound like it will have any impact on his availability for the start of the season. Jordan, who turns 26 next week, posted a 3.66 ERA in nine starts as a rookie last season and could threaten for the fifth spot in the rotation in the spring.

MLB.com's William Ladson reports Taylor Jordan has been shut down for the season.

Jordan was expected to start a few more games before being shut down, but was placed on the disabled list Saturday with a lower back strain and won't pitch again in 2013. Ross Ohlendorf will replace him in the starting rotation.

Nationals placed RHP Taylor Jordan on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson indicated Friday that Taylor Jordan will get to make at least one more start before being shut down for the season.

It had been anticipated that Friday's outing against the Braves would be his final start of the season, but the organization has decided to run him out there one more time before replacing him in the rotation with Ross Ohlendorf. That final start is likely to come on Wednesday against the Cubs in Chicago.

Taylor Jordan pitched well in what is likely to be his final start of the 2013 season, allowing a pair of unearned runs on seven hits over his six innings of work.

Jordan walked three and struck out three on the night. The Nationals' defense certainly didn't do him any favors behind him, committing three errors that led to both Braves runs being unearned. If this happens to be his final start to the season, as expected, Jordan's rookie campaign ends with a 1-3 record, 3.66 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 29/11 K/BB ratio over 51 2/3 innings.

Taylor Jordan will make at least one more start before being shut down.

The Nationals were considering shutting him down after Saturday's start, but they've decided to give him at least one more. The club doesn't want Jordan to go past 155 innings in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. He's at 136 frames now, so he should have a couple more outings in him. Ross Ohlendorf will take his spot in the rotation later this month.

Taylor Jordan allowed four earned runs in five innings Saturday in a no-decision against the Phillies.

Washington won the game with a big seventh-inning charge. Jordan looked fatigued, yielding seven hits and a walk before exiting after the fifth frame. The 24-year-old could be shut down for the season on Sunday.

Taylor Jordan could be shut down for the season as early as Sunday, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.

The Nationals have been saying Jordan will be shut down around the 155 innings mark -- he's at 131 between the minors and majors heading into his start against the Phillies on Saturday -- but Kilgore says the decision will be based more on Ross Ohlendorf's health than Jordan's innings. Whenever it happens, Ohlendorf will replace Jordan in the Nationals rotation.