Pitcher Stephen Strasburg returned to the major leagues Tuesday after being reinstated from the disabled list by the Washington Nationals.
The hard-throwing right-hander - the first overall draft choice in 2009 - made his first start since Aug. 21, 2010, Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Strasburg, 23, has finished his recovery from Tommy John surgery, wrapping up six minor-league rehab appearances during which he compiled a 1-1 record and 3.54 ERA.
Strasburg is expected to pitch five or six innings in his return to the Nationals.
Manager Davey Johnson said the fire-balling right-hander played well in a final minor league start at Class AA Hagerstown Thursday, and that’s what let him know Strasburg was ready to make his 2011 major league season debut on Sept. 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Los Angeles Times reported that even though Stephen Strasburg hadn't pitched in more than a year, Andre Ethier compared facing him Tuesday night to facing Felix Hernandez or an in-form Ubaldo Jimenez. Rod Barajas marveled at how Strasburg had a changeup and curveball to complement a fastball that reached 99 mph.
Strasburg posted a 5-3 record with an ERA of 2.91 in 12 games for the Nationals last season before going down with the elbow injury. He struck out 92 and walked 17.
