Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Strasburg ready to leave Viera
Stephen Strasburg completed the final task his six-month rehabilitation process in Viera, Fla., this morning, pitching a three-inning, simulated game at the Nationals' spring training complex.
Next up for the 23-year-old right-hander: A 30-day minor-league rehab stint that should begin early next week and put him on course to return to the Nationals in early September.
Strasburg, according to eyewitnesses, threw 51 pitches over three simulated "innings" to members of the Nationals' Gulf Coast League rookie team. 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.
Team officials haven't announced a precise date and time for Strasburg to begin his minor-league rehab stint, but it's likely to come early next week at the home ballpark of one of the Nationals' affiliates: low-Class A Hagerstown, high-Class A Potomac, Class AA Harrisburg or Class AAA Syracuse.
Once he begins the rehab assignment, Strasburg will have 30 days before he must either be activated off the disabled list or shut down with a new injury. Assuming no setbacks, he'd be on schedule to return to the Nationals sometime in early September and be able to make four or five starts before season's end.
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18 comments:
Yea!!!!
I have tickets to the Sunday afternoon game in Hagerstown. Rizzo, you know its better for him to start a day game .. hell, I'll even drive him up.
Don't rush him.
My heart skipped a beat.
I need a life, clearly.
GYFSG!
omg omg omg omg omg
If you get one, Jane, may I borrow it from time to time?
omg omg omg
It's pretty hot, humid, and nasty on the east coast, isn't it? Maybe they could arrange something with the Padres so that he makes a few starts with the Eugene Emeralds -- temperature in the low 80s, almost no humidity -- for his own good? Closer to his home, opposition not too fierce, not as much pressure, etc. Just thinking out loud...
JOY in Natstown!!! And - joy in several cities where minor league teams play, of course. I think it's quite fitting the way he and Jordan are taking over for each other and handing off before they starting smacking the NL East with their 1-2 punch next year.
Season ticket offers just announced.
Buy Two Get Two
Shake Shack Pack
Finish Strong
I'll post details in game thread.
Here's my question: Once SS returns to the Nats in September, do they have to put him in Zimmermann's spot of a 5 pitcher rotation? By then, with September callups, why not have a 6 or 7 pitcher rotation to ease him into pitching regularly again (using Millone, Peacock, Stammen or whoever)? In college he started once a week if I'm not mistaken.
Mark, your reporting here is lacking. Did Strasburg win that simulated game? If he did, did they simulate the sound of sub horns at the end? What was said in the simulated postgame interview? How many simulated press were there? Was the simulated hype off the charts?
This is great news!
Will be nice to have a healthy SS back on the mound (although no skipped beats here). Well, maybe about the Shake Shack Pack possibility. mmm...
Good news he is back on the mound, bad news is he looked like he was wilting in the heat, which is when he had promblems before the injury, hoping for a below average September so SS can thrive rather that labor in Natstown.
Hilarious, feel wood
JaneB...
Right there with you! My heart does a pitter patter every time we have news about Stras, so clearly i need a life too!
Can't Wait for Stramas II! I would even hit Hagerstown if it's on the weekend!
Very sweet. I really didnt think we'd get him back until next year. But September? I just can't wait.
Hey Mr. Rizzo: while your at it -- Bring Harper up in September. I can't fathom the Nats let him go home to Vegas for the winter (minors stop playing in the first week of Sept.)
Bring That Boy Up!!!!!!
Hey Eugene in Oregon, I was out there this past week, actually. Three days in Bend, two days in Portland. I am delighted to have missed the nasty east coast heat. A lovely Pacific Northwest you have out there, I must say.
It's not too awful here now, and Strasburg should be able to pitch in somewhat normal summer conditions for the east. Maybe even Potomac? Should we buy tickets for all the PoNats' games right now?
Strasmus II! I like it!!
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