Stephen Strasburg begins throwing, Matt Williams hints at rehab plan

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg threw on flat ground yesterday and today without experiencing pain in his left side, according to Nationals manager Matt Williams.

"We'll look to a bullpen (session) in the next four to five days, probably, and see where he's at," Williams said. "But a good sign for him the last couple."

Strasburg was cruising through his July 4 start against the Giants when he suffered a strained left oblique in the fourth inning. The next day, the right-hander landed on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season.

Strasburg had been pitching brilliantly before this latest setback. He returned from his earlier trip to the DL for neck tightness, appearing confident, comfortable and healthy. He won back-to-back starts and allowed just two runs over 12 innings, which included 15 strikeouts and only two walks.

Williams believes Strasburg will need at least two minor league rehab outings before rejoining the Nationals.

"The longer he's off, the more it takes," Williams said. "Granted he's been to 100 pitches this year and we know he can do that, but the more time he takes off, we gotta build that back up. Is it one? Probably not. Could it be two? Maybe. So we'll see where's at.

"We know that in one of those rehab starts, we gotta get him to five innings at least and with the ability to go out for six on a regular pitch count. Once we can do that then he'll be ready to go. Is that the second one? We don't know yet. So we'll progress him to the first one and go from there."

Overall, Strasburg is 5-5 with a 5.16 ERA in 13 starts this season.