WASHINGTON – Washington Nationals Manager Davey Johnson said Thursday that Stephen Strasburg has “probably” two or three starts remaining before being shut down for the season.

Johnson said Thursday he delivered the news to Strasburg on the plane ride home from Wednesday’s victory against the Miami Marlins.

Johnson said he has a “pretty firm plan” for Strasburg but it’s based on how many innings Strasburg pitches in his next starts.

Strasburg is 15-6 and has thrown 150 1/3 innings. The Nationals haven’t announced the innings limit they imposed on him in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery.

TWINS: Center fielder Denard Span was put on the 15-day disabled list with an injured collarbone.

Span strained his right collarbone Aug. 12 while diving to make a catch against Tampa Bay. He’s missed 13 of the 17 games since the injury, with Ben Revere getting most of the work in center. The move is retroactive to Tuesday.

YANKEES: Alex Rodriguez, the injured third baseman, is set to play in the minor leagues Friday night.

Rodriguez has been out for more than a month because of a broken left hand. He’s scheduled to play for Class A Tampa at Lakeland in the Florida State League.

• The Yankees extended their affiliation with the Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League for another eight years.

BREWERS: Right-hander Shaun Marcum left his start against the Chicago Cubs after four innings because of cramping in his right calf.

Marcum was making his second start since missing two months because of elbow soreness. He allowed three runs, scattering five hits and four walks, striking out four. He left after 85 pitches.

WHITE SOX: Chicago purchased the contract of infielder Jose Lopez from Triple-A Charlotte and placed backup catcher Tyler Flowers on the paternity leave list.

Lopez was signed to a minor- league contract Aug. 14 after being designated for assignment by Cleveland. He’s a .262 career hitter over nine seasons.

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