Strasburg to return for showdown with Mets
Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg is expected to make next week's start against the New York Mets after completing his bullpen session with no reported setbacks, manager Matt Williams said Thursday.
Strasburg was lifted from Sunday's outing after just four innings and 60 pitches with what he described as a "little bit of back tightness." His delayed recovery forced the Nationals to scratch him from Friday's start against Atlanta, and put his return in jeopardy.
However, after emerging from Thursday's workout with no issues, Williams is optimistic Strasburg will pitch in next week's pivotal series against first-place New York. He's tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday's finale opposite Jacob deGrom.
Strasburg's been slowed by various injuries this season, limiting the 27-year-old to just 91 innings over 19 starts. His 4.35 ERA and 1.26 WHIP are the highest marks of his career.
The Nationals enter Thursday trailing the Mets by 6 1/2 games in the National League East.