Stephen Strasburg Dominant in Return to Majors
By Editorial Staff
Stephen Strasburg returned in top form last night for the Nationals, making his first Major League start since August 21st of last year. Strasburg held the Los Angeles Dodgers to only 2 hits over 5 scoreless frames.
Looking as dominant as he had over his last few Minor League rehab starts, Strasburg showed no signs of rust during Tuesday’s contest. It only took Strasburg 56 pitches, of which 40 went for strikes, to make it through his 5 innings of work. Strasburg struck out 4 batters over that span while walking none.
Strasburg’s ridiculous velocity, which makes his command that much more amazing, also returned Tuesday night. Strasburg’s fastball was consistently sitting in the upper 90’s, reaching as high as 99 mph last night.
After giving up a leadoff double to Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon, Strasburg went on to retire the next 11 batters he faced. A single up the middle was the only other offense LA could muster against Strasburg.
Strasburg’s return, not to mention his dominant first outing, is that much more extraordinary when you remember the fact that he was shut down just over a year ago, requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery. The timetable Strasburg received for recovery could have had him out until the beginning of the 2012 season.
But Strasburg, in his words, “worked his butt off” rehabbing his surgically-repaired right arm to get to where he is today. Before his 2011 debut Tuesday, Strasburg made 6 Minor League rehab starts, the first coming in the beginning of August.
Strasburg will get back at it this weekend, as he is expected to take the mound Sunday for the Nationals when they face off against the Houston Astros. During that contest, Strasburg will have his pitch count increased to between 70 and 80.
We’ve already seen what he can do with 56.
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