In his first rehab start since heading to the disabled list May 30, Stephen Strasburg threw five innings for Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday, allowing two runs, one earned, and four hits with six strikeouts.
Although Strasburg picked up the loss, manager Matt Williams was content with his performance.
“I thought he came out of it fine,” Williams said. “He threw 71 pitches in five innings, which is a really nice pitch count for him. He went back down to the bullpen and threw nine more, to give him 80. So, he really had six times up and came out of it feeling fine.”
Strasburg had been dealing with a left trapezius muscle strain, which affected his neck and upper back. With one rehab start under his belt, it is unclear when he will return to the Nationals. When asked if his next start will be at the big-league level, Williams didn’t rule out a quick return.
“It’s a possibility, yeah,” Williams said. “We have to see how he is feeling after today and how he gets through his bullpen, which won’t be for a couple more days. But after that, if he feels good to go, his pitch count is such that it would be his final spring training pitch count anyways in anticipation of start No. 1 for the season at 80 or 85 pitches anyway. He would be good to 100-ish for the next start, so if he feels good, there’s no reason why we wouldn’t think about that.”
In 10 starts this season, Strasburg has a 3-5 record with a 6.55 ERA.
Fister on track for Thursday start
After dealing with forearm tightness, Doug Fister is set to be reinstated from the 15-day DL and make his return to the mound Thursday against the Rays.
The 31-year-old right-hander hasn’t made a start for the Nationals since May 14, when he exited early due to the preceding injury. Fister has a record of 2-2 with a 4.31 ERA on the year.
Beyond Thursday, however, the order of Washington’s rotation is unclear.
“It’s the same as it has been, so you can do the math,” Williams said. “Max [Scherzer] is certainly scheduled for the weekend. Gio [Gonzalez] is scheduled for the weekend. And Joe’s [Ross] on his normal turn. Unless we decide to make a change, or if we’ve got to go heavy somewhere in the next day or two, then we can make that change, but that’s how it sits right now.”
Zimmerman’s return uncertain
Ryan Zimmerman has missed the past seven games due to plantar fasciitis in his foot and is unsure when he will return to the field. He hasn’t been able to put in his normal work due to the injury.
“I just kind of hang out and do nothing,” Zimmerman said. “It’s pretty brutal, actually. I just have to rest it and let it heal. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.”
Zimmerman is hitting .209 this year with five home runs and 34 RBI.
Span gets a day off
Denard Span has been dealing with back stiffness of late and received the day off Wednesday, with Michael A. Taylor taking his spot in center field. Span’s recovery has been sporadic, yet he remains optimistic.
“With the travel and a late flight — and playing on the turf for a couple of days didn’t help — they thought it was smart to give me a day,” Span said. “Hopefully I feel a little bit better tomorrow.”
In the past two games at Tampa Bay, Span went a combined 3-for-7 with an RBI and two walks.
• Andrew Walsh can be reached at awalsh@washingtontimes.com.
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