A confident Stephen Strasburg emerges after rehab start

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Without a goatee and wearing a different uniform and number, Stephen Strasburg took the mound at Metro Bank Park looking like a different person. In his first, and most likely his last, rehab start for Double-A Harrisburg, Strasburg allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts in five innings. But Strasburg's line doesn't come close to telling the full story as three of the four hits were bouncing ball singles. The tall righty looked confident and in control throughout the 71 pitch, 48 strike effort.

"The goals were just go out there and establish fastball, establish the command, pitch to both sides of the plate, throw some off-speed effectively down and keep the tempo up," Strasburg said. "I feel really good and I feel strong. Definitely could've gone back out there for a few and ended up going out to the bullpen to throw a few more pitches."

Strasburg's fastball was alive throughout the start. Richmond's Mac Williamson swung so hard to catch up to the 97 mph heat that his bat went flying into the stands on Strasburg's third whiff.

The Nationals placed Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list on May 30 when a strained left trapezius muscle forced him out of his start the day before after throwing just 16 pitches. But Strasburg said today that the trapezius injury was more of a spasm and he hasn't dealt with the issue since. However, there have been a number of other nagging problems, which have interfered with Strasburg's erratic performance this season. Today, though, Strasburg said he feels the best he has since showing up for spring training.

"One hundred percent. Ever since I kinda went down with the (ankle) injury, I feel much better," Strasburg said.

That left ankle sprain occurred in the Space Coast Stadium weight room all the way back on March 20. Strasburg missed an exhibition start after, but was seemingly ready for the beginning of the season. He has struggled to a 3-5 record with an uncharacteristically high 6.55 ERA this year, though. Strasburg never made it out of the fourth inning in four of his 10 outings, starting with a May 5 game against the Marlins when he departed after three frames due to back problems and alignment issues. After today's start, he was asked if all of the complications have stemmed from the initial ankle sprain.

"There's gonna be a lot of speculation," Strasburg said. "I can't really worry about the past. I just gotta focus on the now and getting everything right and focusing on the positive. So today was a good day. I felt like I was back to where I was mechanically before. Once I can stop thinking about it and just go out there and compete ... I think there was only a couple of times where I kinda had to take a step back and remember what the focus was."

Strasburg indicated that he has spent a lot of time working with Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty to correct some mechanical issues with his delivery.

"The ball is starting to come out the way I visualize it," Strasburg said.

Strasburg is choosing to face this adversity with a positive outlook, which has to be a good sign for a pitcher who has been fairly or unfairly criticized for letting his emotions bother him too much during tough times, especially on the mound.

"I think everybody goes through what I've been through," Strasburg said. "And I think, in a different way, it's a really good thing. It's allowed to me to kinda take a step back and evolve as a pitcher and get a lot smarter out there. Obviously what I was doing wasn't really working to my standards and now there's something to shoot for, something to strive for."

Strasburg said he's unsure what the plan is for him now.

"Get back with the team and get ready for the next start wherever it is," he said.

That start will most likely happen early next week with the Nationals. They surely will be hoping that the new look Strasburg sticks around for the remainder of the season.

Shortstop Trea Turner collected his first hit as a member of the Nationals organization with a single in the first. He knocked in two runs on another hit in the seventh, added a double in the ninth and swiped two bases on a 3-for-5 afternoon in his second game for Harrisburg.

The Senators lost 4-3.