To Washington Nationals fans it felt like 30 years since they last saw Stephen Strasburg on a mound to throwing to live batters. On Sunday Strasburg threw his first rehab start with the Hagerstown Suns and it was done in 30 pitches exactly. While Strasburg's first start was not perfect, it went as well as one could expect for a guy who hasn't pitched in almost over a year and coming back from Tommy John surgery.
The future Nationals ace went 1 2/3 innings giving up three hits, one run, no walks and struck out four. He threw 30 pitches exactly and 24 of those were strikes. The radar gun was picking up Strasburg throwing between 96-98 mph. The only ding to his performance was giving up a solo home run to Jacob Realmuto of the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins affliliate).
Next up for No. 37? Only GM Mike Rizzo and the Nationals think tank knows, but he is expected to continue to rehab in the minors with a possible call up to Single-A Potomac or Double-A Harrisburg in the near future.