Strasburg solid for 3 1/3 innings in first rehab start

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

July 10, 2018, 5:37pm

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Right-hander Stephen Strasburg accomplished exactly what he set out to do in his first rehab game returning from right shoulder inflammation that has kept him on the disabled list since June 9.

Strasburg pitched 3 1/3 innings for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals in their comeback 7-4 win at the Lynchburg Hillcats Tuesday night.

He allowed one run on two hits with one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 57 pitches, 34 for strikes. That was right in the window the Nationals were wanting Strasburg to reach, between 50 and 60 pitches. He induced three fly outs and three ground outs, ending up facing 14 batters.

Manager Davey Martinez said over the weekend that if Strasburg got through Tuesday's first rehab start well and felt strong the next day then the plan was for one more rehab start with an affiliate before returning to the rotation. That would make his next rehab start July 15. If he comes out of that start well then Strasburg would likely return to the Nats July 20 when they host the Atlanta Braves as they begin the second half of the season.