Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Strasburg likely Sunday in Hagerstown
Stephen Strasburg will make his first start in an organized game since undergoing Tommy John surgery Sunday in Hagerstown, provided the Nationals right-hander experiences no setbacks before then.
According to manager Davey Johnson, Strasburg will throw off a bullpen mound Thursday at the club's spring training complex in Viera, Fla. Assuming that goes well, the 23-year-old will head north and begin his minor-league rehab assignment Sunday with low-Class A Hagerstown. The Suns host the Greensboro Grasshoppers (a Marlins affiliate) at 4:05 p.m.
Strasburg will throw only one or two innings in his first rehab start, which comes 11 months after his surgery to replace the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He'll slowly ramp up his pitch count and innings count after that, with his second start likely to come Aug. 12 at either high-Class A Potomac or Class AA Harrisburg.
Pitchers may not remain on a rehab assignment more than 30 days, so Strasburg would need to either be activated off the disabled list by Sept. 6 or be shut down with a new injury. The Nationals are home Sept. 5-11 against the Dodgers and Astros, so if all goes according to plan, Strasburg's return to the majors should fall sometime during that homestand.
Strasburg, according to eyewitnesses, threw 51 pitches during a three-inning, simulated game Tuesday against members of the Nationals' Gulf Coast League team in Viera. Radar gun readings weren't provided, but he appeared to be throwing free and easy, at near-top velocity.
Thus concluded six long months of rehab in Viera for Strasburg, who reported in February having just resumed playing catch for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery Sept. 3. He gradually progressed to the point he began throwing off a mound, then adding breaking balls, then facing live hitters in a batting cage before pitching three simulated games over the last few weeks.
Strasburg's batterymate in Hagerstown could be a familiar face. Ivan Rodriguez, on the disabled list since July 7 with a strained oblique muscle, may begin his own rehab assignment this weekend and could be behind the plate for Sunday's game.
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15 comments:
I've got Sept. 8 in the Jesus pool.
Is there really any relevance to the 30-day limit on his rehab assignment? He just has to be added to the 40-man roster. But he can be optioned to any affiliate, or -- because it'll be September -- get called up to the Majors and sit in the dugout. The limiting factor might be when the affiliates' seasons end.
@ Doug
No relevance on the 30-day really, since it'll be after the 40-man expansion. He just needs to be added to the MLB active roster. Had his 30 days expire prior to the 40-man expansion, then it becomes more tricky, as the team either has to put him on the 25-man, or DL him again
Speaking of injured pitchers, does anyone have any update on our Rule 5 pick, Elvin Ramirez?
Projecting out, things don't look so good for home starts unless he doesn't progress straight up the ranks. Aug 17, only Hagerstown and Syracuse are home. Aug 22, only Hagerstown. Would be a shame if he gets road starts.
I have tickets to Sunday's game!!! Can't wait.. Hopefully Pudge is his catcher!!!
CN, i don't think he has to be on the active roster. it's not as if strasburg has no options left. they could just as easily option him to a minor league affiliate. he'd still be on the 40 man roster, but not the 25 man active roster.
Both Sept 7th and 8th would give SS three starts at home while the other dates on the first Sept home stand only provide two starts at home (assuming the rotation and SS stay on a every 5th start schedule).
The 7th lines up with the day Jordan would have pitched if the current rotation and every 5th game schedule holds.
I don't know what to do with this information. Last year I bough $$$ tickets for the wrong game. I still went and had fun but ended up paying $$$ again for SS first game. Worth it but don't want to repeat this year. Dilemma!
I'll go with the 7th based on what we know, but mostly because I already have decent seats for that game. Hope springs eternal.
Mark,
Seen/heard enough post-game manager interviews to conclude that Debbie Taylor is the Nats' Helen Thomas. Is there a contractual relationship that allows for her to start the interview process? And between you and I: does this rankle the beat reporters (not including you, of course)?
Whatever, glad Stras is coming back, but until this club gets rid of the arrogant idiot Rizzo -- really how easily is he the worst GM in MLB? - winning is something we'll never see.
No pressure, just the weight of the franchise on the guy. Lets hope he doesn't rush back.
Second that, SC.
Joe, fyi, I believe that Ms. Taylor spells it "Debbi." (Dang. Get back in there you daggone inner proofreader. Back, I tell you! :-))
As with every low-A affiliate, there's only a few guys on that Greensboro Grasshopper's roster that will ever wear an MLB uniform. I would think it would be pretty cool for them to play a game with Strasburg on the mound and Pudge behind the plate. I would hope that Stras stays in ong enough that everyone in the lineup gets to face him once. But it sounds like that's not likely.
All I know is their name is pretty awesome. I would hope that their logo is as well. Wonder whether their field is in good condition or, if not, whether it features bad hops? :-)
1a, you are funny!
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