The long road back from Tommy John surgery is marked with a lot of milestones that may seem insignificant at the time, but show a consistent move toward health. Yesterday, Stephen Strasburg reached one of the biggest. According to Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider, Stephen Strasburg threw off a mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last September.
The Nationals right-hander threw off a bullpen mound today in Viera, Fla., for the first time since having reconstructive surgery on his elbow in September. Strasburg, who had previously only thrown long toss off flat ground, broke the news on Twitter, posting: "First bullpen in the books. Felt great! Hopefully time will speed up now!"
Now it's important not to get too excited just because Strasburg has taken another step towards being healthy. There are still a lot of those little milestones (throwing full strength, making a simulated start, multiple rehab starts) that Strasburg has to reach before the Nationals will even begin to think about considering him for this season at all. But the fact that he has gone through this important step and has yet to suffer any setbacks so far in his rehab (knock on wood) is a very good sign.