Johnson will let Strasburg go over 70 pitches tonight against Marlins

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

September 17, 2011, 1:03pm

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Nationals manager Davey Johnson said before Game Two against Florida Saturday that he will release some of the pitching restrictions the team has had on starter Stephen Strasburg in his first two starts this season as he returns from Tommy John surgery. "I have got a much longer leash," Johnson said. "I will probably let him get over 70 (pitches). It just depends on what I am seeing. I was more worried the first two times out in the big leagues with the pressure of all the publicity coming up here. I didn't want to take him to where he was tired. "Today I will take him more to where I think needs to be." Johnson said the team still has not decided if they will allow Strasburg to pitch two more starts this season after tonight. Strasburg is expected to start Sept. 23 versus the Braves and that would mean his turn would come up again on the final day of the season at Florida. If it is not Strasburg on Sept. 28, Johnson might give it to one of the other younger starters. Johnson also said Ross Detwiler and Tommy Milone will start Tuesday's doubleheader at Philadelphia, with Brad Peacock getting the call Wednesday night at the Phillies.