Stephen Strasburg On His Return To The Major Leagues

Stephen Strasburg pitched in a major league game for the first time in over a year on Tuesday, but if you didn't know that, you might have thought he was pitching effectively in the major leagues this whole time. Strasburg allowed just two hits over five scoreless innings while striking out four Dodgers. But his stuff looked electric, and his location looked better than I would have expected in his first start back. You can find video of Strasburg's reaction to his start here, but we'll provide a transcript.

It was awesome. I mean it felt like such a long time since I've been able to go out there and play with these guys up here. Going out there, and not much has changed. Still 60 feet six inches.

Strasburg has always been a relatively unassuming character, so it's not surprising to see him downplay the whole significance of this. But he has been working extremely hard to get back here and must be revealed to be back on a major league mound. But how about the stuff?

It was pretty good. They were swinging the bat early, I was able to throw the ball down in the zone and get some weak contact. There's always room for improvement, curveball was kind of hit or miss, and that's to be expected. So I'm just going to try and work on that for next time.

Here is my analysis of how Strasburg pitched. the fastball looked good in terms of velocity, and I as pretty amazed with his ability to keep it down in the zone when he wanted to. The new two-seam fastball was terrifyingly good, particularly in one instance where he ran it inside against MVP Candidate Matt Kemp and forced his knees to buckle. That pitch was a called strike, at 97 mph. The curveball had good movement but needed better location. The changeup was devastating. Strasburg isn't all the way back, but it is pretty scary to think how much he could improve considering he just gave up only two hits in five innings.

Dodgers Vs. Nationals Final: Nationals Bullpen Can't Finish What Stephen Strasburg Started In 7-3 Loss

Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg did the job he needed to do. The Washington bullpen, however, did not do its job which eventually lead to a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On a dark and stormy night, Strasburg made his first start in little over a year as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Nationals ace went five innings giving up no runs on two hits, walking none and striking out four. The only trouble he ran into was in the first inning after he gave up a double to Lee Gordon to lead off the game, but he silenced the Dodgers in that inning and many after that. At one point he sent 11 straight Dodgers down in order. By the time he left the game, the Nationals were winning 3-0 and what baseball fans made it out to Nationals Park Tuesday night were left reeling and believing once again.

Unfortunately the bullpen could not hold down Strasburg's lead to give him the win. Reliever Doug Slaten relieved Strasburg only to give up two runs and put men on base for Brad Peacock who made his MLB debut against Matt Kemp with two men on and one out. The rookie ended up allowing one run in. Atahualpa Severino made his MLB debut as well and struck out the only batter he faced. Then relievers Henry Rodriguez and Yunesky Maya came into the game and each gave up two runs.

The Nats notched three runs in the second thanks to a Wilson Ramos RBI double, a Strasburg sacrifice bunt that the Dodgers misplayed and a Jayson Werth groundout. First baseman Chris Marrero collected his first extra base hit of his MLB career, a double in the second inning. Four Nationals made their MLB debuts Tuesday night including Steve Lombardozzi and Corey Brown who PHed during the night.

A promising night quickly became disappointing when pertaining to the standings, but overall the Nationals have to be estatic at having their young ace back in the fold.

Stephen Strasburg Pitches Five Spectacular Innings In First Game Back From Tommy John Surgery

The Washington Nationals couldn't have asked for more from starter Stephen Strasburg who just finished up in his first game back from Tommy John surgery. The young smokethrower on Tuesday night sometimes made the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers look foolish, almost as if he never left the mound for 368 days like he did. With a five inning performance he is in line to garner the win Tuesday night as the Nationals lead the Dodgers 3-0.

Strasburg gave up two hits, zero runs, issued no free passes and struck out four. He threw some impressive 80 mph curveballs and 90 mph change ups that caught a couple Blue Boys swinging and blew up batters with a fastball which peaked at 99 mph. He pitched 56 pitches, 40 for strikes. No. 37 averaged just 11.2 pitches per inning Tuesday night, fewer than in any of his 12 starts last season.

The Nationals ace looked great. He went after batters, had great control, his pitch speed was searing. For now it looks like all systems are go. Natstown is going to be quite the scary place for visiting teams when manager Davey Johnson gives Strasburg the green light to completely unleash the red. Strasburg was on a 60-pitch limit.

Strasburg pitched despite really stormy weather that has covered most of the East Coast since yesterday.

Stephen Strasburg Impressing In Return From Tommy John Surgery

The much anticipated return of Washington Nationals pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg could not be going better, despite the dark and stormy skies. Strasburg has cruised through three innings of work, needing only 35 pitches to record nine outs, and Washington leads the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0.

The young righty had a 1-2-3 second inning, striking out two Dodgers in the process. His first strikeout in over a year came on a 90 mph changeup to Andre Ethier, and Strasburg followed that with a punchout of Aaron Miles on a 99 mph fastball.

The third inning was much of the same for Strasburg, as he once again set down the Dodgers 1-2-3, on a weak flyout and two easy groundouts.

Strasburg has even contributed offensively, laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the second inning, then advancing to second base on Ted Lilly's throwing error. He would eventually score on Jayson Werth's groundout to shortstop Dee Gordon as the Nationals scored three in the frame.

For more on Stephen Strasburg's return, visit this StoryStream. For more on Strasburg and the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball.

Stephen Strasburg Gives Up One Double In First Inning Back From Tommy John Surgery

Incredibly, despite all forecasts and weather accounts, the game between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park began exactly on time and throwing the first pitch was projected starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg. It has been over 368 days since Nationals fans last saw Strasburg at Nationals Park doing what he does best and he did not fail to disappoint in the first inning back in the Majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Strasburg pitched the start of the game and gave up only one hit, a lead off double to L.A.'s Dee Gordon, but that is all the young and recovered phenom would give the Blue Boys in the first half of the inning which ended in a 0-0 score.

No. 37's first pitch was a 96 mph fastball that was fouled off for a strike. He threw a total of 11 pitches, seven for strikes. He stayed around 96 mph majority of the time topping out at 97 mph and throwing a nice 80 mph curveball. After the Gordon double he got James Loney to fly out to center, Matt Kemp to ground out and Juan Rivera to fly out to right.

Perhaps it is the weather, the jitters or just a little rust, but he seemed a little dialed down. That will no doubt change the more work he is given. Strasburg is expected to throw 60 pitches Tuesday night.

Stephen Strasburg Warming Up In Bullpen For On-Time Start, According To Reports

Mother Nature has toyed with Stephen Strasburg's return to the big leagues all afternoon long, but it looks like, at least for now, the Nationals righty has won the battle and will indeed throw at Nationals Park Tuesday evening. Via Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post:

The weather has been up and down all day long, so it is no guarantee the skies do not open again, but for now, it looks like Nationals fans will finally get to see their pitching savior on a major league mound again. 106.7 the Fan DC is reporting the game will start on time, via the team:

Tarp Is Off The Field At Nationals Park, But Forecast Remains Ominous

It is a little over half a hour away from Tuesday night's game between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers, but still little is known whether or not the game will start on time, whether it will start at all and who exactly will be pitching if it does. Pitching for the Nationals will either be Stephen Strasburg or recent called up pitcher Brad Peacock. This is all thanks to a massive wave of storms that has been plaguing the East Coast since Monday.

It has been reported that GM Mike Rizzo entered the umpires room a few minutes ago, but as to what is being discussed is unknown at this time.

Stephen Strasburg Will Pitch At 1 P.M. Wednesday If Weather Postpones Tuesday's Game

As the weather forecast continues to call for heavy rain at Nationals Park, the status of Stephen Strasburg's return start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night continues to be in jeopardy. Manager Davey Johnson told reporters that if the game was canceled, Strasburg would pitch in the first game of a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday.

Via Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post:

Johnson also reiterated that he has no plans to have Strasburg pitch if the game gets delayed, saying that prospect Brad Peacock has been called up to replace Strasburg if that happens. The doubleheader must take place on Wednesday because the Dodgers leave town Thursday and the Nationals do not have an off day until September 19.

Stephen Strasburg's Return: Mike Rizzo Discusses Plan If Weather Cancels Game

As the heaven's continue to dump water down on Washington D.C. and much of the East Coast, there is some information slowly leaking out from the Washington Nationals organization about Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the return of pitcher Stephen Strasburg:

GM Mike Rizzo also said that if Tuesday night's game is rained out, Strasburg would pitch during a Wednesday doubleheader.

With the weather how it is and amazing technical advances in weather forecasting at our fingertips these days, you have to question the logic behind the Nationals decision to hold off until game time to make a decision and postponement.

The Nationals PR department is going to have a possible field day explaining why they had fans come into Nationals Park wet, cold and miserable, only to cancel the game anyways.

Weather Forecast For Stephen Strasburg's Return Continues To Get Worse

It's looking more and more like Stephen Strasburg's return to the majors is in jeopardy. The latest weather forecasts for the Washington D.C. area calls for an even greater chance of heavy rains than before, and as of 3:30 p.m., the rain was coming down heavily at Nationals Park.

Via Nathan Fenno of the Washington Times:

The tarp remains on at Nationals Park, as the team has yet to postpone the game. It's a tough call for the team, because if they cancel now and the rain stops, they look very bad. That's probably why they have yet to cancel.

Dodgers Vs. Nationals: Starting Lineup For Stephen Strasburg's Return

Majority of Washington Nationals fans probably have their eyes on the weather reports right now, but as the East Coast downpour continues and the chances of tonight's game happening possibly growing slimmer and slimmer the Nationals have released the line up that will support pitcher Stephen Strasburg in his return to the Majors against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The line up has a little of everything Tuesday night. Shortstop Ian Desmond continues to lead off after hitting two lead-off home runs in a week with center fielder Jayson Werth hitting behind him and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman in his usual third spot in the order. Left fielder Michael Morse, right fielderJonny Gomes and catcher Wilson Ramos all are power threats while second baseman Danny Espinosa and first baseman Chris Marrero show off the youth and talent of former Nationals prospects.

Then, of course, there is starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg in his first start of 2011 and first start in over a year after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

It feels real good to pencil in No. 37 back in the line up.

Nationals Line Up

Ian Desmond -SS

Jayson Werth - CF

Ryan Zimmerman - 3B

Michael Morse - LF

Jonny Gomes - RF

Danny Espinosa - 2B

Chris Marrero - 1B

Wilson Ramos - C

Stephen Strasburg - SP

Weather Forecast For Stephen Strasburg's Return To Majors Calls For Frequent Rain Showers

Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to make his return to the major leagues on Tuesday following a one-year absence due to Tommy John surgery, but it appears that might not happen. The weather forecast for the Nationals' game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park calls for frequent thunderstorms and rain showers. The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang calls for a 90 percent chance of rain.

Frequent showers and storms around the metro area make a challenging effort for the game tonight. The game might get in with the heaviest precipitation west of the city, but it is more likely to see some rain delays or even postponement..

That would certainly put the game in doubt. Even if the game is played, there is a chance that Strasburg won't end up pitching. Manager Davey Johnson said earlier in the week that the team might send Strasburg to the mound another day if he warms up and rain delays the game.

For more on Stephen Strasburg's return, visit this StoryStream. For more on Strasburg and the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball.

Stephen Strasburg Returns To Majors As Nationals Take On Dodgers

Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to make his return to the majors on Tuesday when the Nationals take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. That is, of course, if the weather cooperates.