Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg is set to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, the next step in his recovery from an oblique strain. Strasburg threw an impressive rehab start on Monday, striking out 11 batters in 5 2/3 innings with Triple-A Syracuse.
"I felt good. My stuff is there," Strasburg said, per CSN Washington DC. "Just try to keep doing the same things and working on the stuff I’ve been doing. It’s going in the right direction."
Strasburg came out of that start feeling good, and the Nationals will determine whether he needs another rehab start or if he's good to return from the DL, following his bullpen session on Wednesday.
"When you have 11 strikeouts you’re doing something right," manager Matt Williams said. "It shows command for getting ahead in the count. We rely on the people that see him pitch, as well, beyond the stat sheet. Command for his breaking ball as there. Changeup off the fastball was there. And the fastball sat at 95, 96 and touched 98, so that’s all positive things for him moving forward. It means he’s feeling good and he’s got no apprehension letting the ball go."
This season, Strasburg is 5-5 with a 5.16 ERA in 13 starts for the Nationals. He has been on the disabled list twice so far this season.