Strasburg pleased with mechanical focus in first spring outing

JUPITER, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg has been through enough spring trainings to understand that maximum effort doesn't always yield the most desired results. He's seen plenty of pitchers use their first game action of the spring to amp themselves up to the point that their mechanics suffer even if the radar gun readings rise.

So in his first outing against Grapefruit League competition on Friday, the veteran right-hander kept it simple and focused on repeating his mechanics. He spent the offseason in D.C. immersed in a conditioning program, so the focus on his delivery was a natural extension of the work he'd been doing all winter.

The results were pretty encouraging, especially considering his 2018 season was interrupted by disabled list stints for a right shoulder problem and a cervical nerve impingement, his velocity dipping after the injuries. In a 5-4 victory of the Marlins, Strasburg threw two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out a pair.

What was Strasburg happiest about? His mechanics, which produced radar gun readings that were consistently in the 92-93 mph range during his two-inning stint.

"Yeah, it feels better than what it was at this point last year," he said after throwing 17 of his 25 pitches for strikes. "It's just always a work in progress, though. I'm trying to pick guys' brains, working with Lilly (pitching coach Derek Lilliquist) on the side, just working on the execution aspect."

For one day, at least, the execution was superb.

"I thought he looked really, really good," said manager Davey Martinez. "Commands the strike zone, uses all his pitches, stays down. His ball was cutting and sinking pretty good. He did well. He could have went out for the third inning, but I thought, 'That's his third outing, we'll keep him right there.' "

Strasburg said his goal for today was simple: "Just feel my mechanics. You know, just kind of quiet the lower half and stay within myself and pound the strike zone."

In other words, continue to progress with the work he's been doing in bullpen sessions or live batting practice, away from the prying eyes of scouts and opposing hitters and managers. While Martinez said before the game that Strasburg's delayed spring debut was by design, Strasburg didn't exactly echo his skipper's sentiments.

"I think for the most part, I've found over the years that when you get out here and get excited and then just start throwing," it's not as helpful, the right-hander explained. "It takes a few years to just realize that - and realize that once you get into the regular season, you want to have a good feel for your mechanics rather than just pure arm strength, I guess."

Emphasizing consistent mechanics over crowd-pleasing velocity? Sounds like a veteran who has learned a thing or two.

"What he did all winter was all conditioning and get himself strong so now his focus is all on his mechanics," Martinez said. "That's why it takes him a little bit longer to go out there and face a team. He just wants to make sure his mechanics are honed in."

The Nationals broke out the home run bats in support of Strasburg and five other pitchers who limited the Marlins to six hits - none for extra bases - over the first six innings.

Yan Gomes, Brian Dozier, Michael A. Taylor and Victor Robles all socked solo homers, the first of the spring for each. Three of the blasts came off reliever Hector Noesi, with Taylor and Robles going back-to-back in the sixth inning.

Wander Suero closed it out and got a save despite allowing two unearned runs in the ninth, when the Nationals committed four errors - two each on successive plays.

* Reliever Justin Miller has been dealing with a sore back, which has delayed his debut in exhibition games. Martinez said he hopes Miller can pitch tomorrow against the Twins.