LAKELAND, Fla. — Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg made a strong case for an opening day start, pitching four shutout innings in a 6-4 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.
Strasburg gave up three hits, walked none and struck out five.
Strasburg is competing with four others to start in Washington’s opener on April 6 against the New York Mets. Max Scherzer, Gio Gonzalez, Doug Fister and Jordan Zimmermann also are in the mix.
On most staffs, Strasburg would be a lock. But with a loaded rotation for the NL East champions, he isn’t even sure if he’s pitching in the opening home stand.
“I’m not thinking about it,” Strasburg said. “It would be an honor to start at home this year, but all I need to do right now is execute my pitches. I can always get better and everything is working out really well right now.”
Washington manager Matt Williams said he has no idea who he will choose on opening day and doesn’t expect a decision any time soon.
“It will be prestigious for whoever it is,” Williams said. “I look at it as whoever has the ability to get out the other team. There will be a lot of thought that goes into it.”
The game was Strasburg’s second start of the spring. He was rough in his first start, allowing two runs while walking two in 1 1-3 innings against St. Louis.
It was 10 days since that start and Strasburg said he felt fine. He missed a turn in the rotation because of an ingrown toenail and has been throwing in the minor league camp.
Tony Gwynn Jr. homered off Tigers starter Justin Verlander. He is a non-roster invitee for the Nationals and is batting.417 this spring, vying for a spot in the Washington outfield.
“I am taking it day by day and I’m not doing anything different than I ever did. I just need to stay in shape. I feel great,” Gwynn said.
Kila Ka’aiuhe also homered for the Nationals.
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