Wang could be close to making first rehab start

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

June 08, 2011, 8:22pm

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Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg talked about the positive impression right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang made on him as they both worked out in Viera, Fla., last month. Strasburg said Wang gave him advice on rehabilitating from injuries and what it takes to get better but not push it when you are anxious or frustrated. Wang should know. His recovery from a football-like shoulder injury has been long and strenuous. But it appears the light at the end of the tunnel may be approaching soon. Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams said this week that Wang is throwing between 85 to 86 mph and has "touched 89 on the radar gun." Williams believes Wang has made such good progress that he could make his first rehab start "by the end of the month." That would be great news for Wang and the Nationals. If everything goes as planned and Wang has no setbacks during the rehab starts, he could make his Nationals debut before the regular season ends.