Stephen Strasburg is likely to begin a rehab assignment with one of the Nationals' minor-league affiliates early next week, marking the right-hander's first appearance in a competitive game since he underwent Tommy John surgery less than one year ago.Though team officials haven't finalized a schedule yet, manager Davey Johnson suggested Strasburg "might get a start between the 7th and the 10th of August."
The 23-year-old has remained at the club's spring training complex in Viera, Fla., since Opening Day, gradually building up arm strength. He threw a three-inning "simulated game" Thursday, totaling 50 pitches and showing no ill-effects from the major elbow surgery performed on him last Sept. 3. He's expected to throw one more simulated game Tuesday before heading north.
Strasburg dropped a hint himself Sunday night on his Twitter account, posting: "Started the packing process gettin close to kissing Florida goodbye!"
From that point on, it will be up to the Nationals to map out a schedule that allows Strasburg to pitch every fifth or sixth day at their various
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12 comments:
Mark just tweeted a guess at SS first appearance in a Nats uniform this year: "Pure, utter speculation on my part: Strasburg returns to Nationals on Sept. 7 vs. Dodgers. Do NOT buy tix based on this." Door is now open for speculation. 9/7 is a good guess. I would think that with the Astros in town later that weekend, you'd want SS on the bump to boost attendance. But 9/9 is Hispanic Heritage Night which is a huge draw, and 9/10 is Danny Espinosa bobblehead night (forget Sundays in September). Anything earlier and you're running into the Labor Day holiday timeframe.
Please let it be on a weekend. I can not make it to a weekday game and I have never seen him pitch. Please let it be on a weekend. I don't care if I have to put up with Astros.
I think the "dueling tweets" over a club source have it at the 6th and the 11th Mark. Might want to edit your post? Chiefs Radio with the 16th at home in SYR. 21st on the road in the IL.
Depending on how it all goes line him up with the current ace Jordan Zimmermann and done.
Without any gotchas Stras should start with the Nats right around the end of August early September. Just in time to shutdown Jordan Zimmermann.
Since the P-Nats got cheated out of Bryce Harper because of bad field conditions in the outfield, I wouldn't be surprised if the Nats made it up to them by having Strasbourg do some rehab starts there. I haven't heard of any problems with the pitcher's mound there.
And, when Stras gets here, Drew will be able to pick up the saves!! Here's hoping those games in September are the ones that push us to .500 or above. Go Nats!
boom goes the dynamite!
Hurry Home, #37!
SBrent - Prince William County just allocated 400K to fix field conditions - in this economy. The owner is planning on finding private money to build a new stadium. All of these things needed to happen to years - it took not getting Bryce Harper to make it happen.
Excellent! I just got my tickets for September 7th. Thank YOU, Mark Zuckerman!
swami, I very much hope that the new stadium happens for the P-Nats. However, I think they've danced that dance before, so I'm not enumerating any fowl just yet. (As to fixing the current field, thanks for the info. That sounds a little more definite.)
I just want to make sure everyone out there understands that my Sept. 7 prediction for Strasburg's return is pure speculation on my part. I've been told nothing by anyone to suggest that will be the day. Simply making a mildly educated guess based upon when Strasburg's rehab stint will start and end, and where Jordan Zimmermann's rotation slot may wind up a month from now.
We all got caught up in trying to guess when Strasburg's debut would be last summer, and a lot of fans bought tickets for one game thinking it would be it, only to be disappointed when it wasn't. You're certainly all free to buy tickets to any game you want, but please PLEASE don't take my prediction as anything more than pure, unfounded speculation. There's so much that can happen between now and then.
grumble grumble just trying to make a stupid joke grumble
Sorry, Dad.
grumble
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