Prized rookie returns from disabled list
It’s been a couple weeks since Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg made fans and team officials hold their breath after being scratched before a scheduled start on July 27 with a sore shoulder.
Given the 22-year-old’s performance through his first nine major league starts, no one will feel completely comfortable until he gets through Tuesday’s game against the Florida Marlins unscathed.
Strasburg was scratched after experiencing shoulder soreness while warming up in the bullpen just minutes before that game against the Atlanta Braves. An MRI and X-rays showed no structural damage, only inflammation. He was placed on the disabled list retroactive to July 22, took a few days off to rest, played catch and then long toss while the team was on a West Coast road trip last week. Strasburg experienced no physical problems during a simulated game last Thursday when he threw 40 pitches to live batters and then passed a full bullpen session on Saturday.
Still, the organization will be cautious with their prized rookie. Expect no more than 90 pitches against the Marlins on Tuesday night. Even when healthy, Strasburg has pitched past the sixth inning in just three of his nine starts. Nats manager Jim Riggleman said last week that once Strasburg returned from his stint on the disabled list any further issues with the shoulder would end his season. The team’s original plan called for no more than 160 innings combined for Strasburg between the minor leagues and major leagues. Entering Tuesday’s start he is at 109 1/3 innings and if he averages six innings per start could remain in the rotation until the second week of September.
Strasburg’s return begins a six-game homestand at Nationals Park against the Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks, with whom they split a four-game series in Phoenix last week. The Nats (49-63) went 3-4 on their road trip, but are 7-6 over their last 13 games. Washington could use some time back in the District. The Nats have played 17 of their first 23 games in the second half on the road. Before Tuesday’s game, Washington will honor former Montreal Expos outfielder Andre Dawson, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame last month.
