The Nationals expect Stephen Strasburg to return to the Major Leagues one week from today. Here are some links from D.C. in the meantime…
- Nationals manager Davey Johnson told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he intends to handle Strasburg with "kid gloves" as the right-hander completes his return from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last September.
- Livan Hernandez said today that he wants to return to Washington in 2012, even if it means working in middle relief next year, Kilgore reports (on Twitter).
- Top 2010 draft pick Bryce Harper will suit up for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League this year, MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo writes. Harper, who made it to Double-A in his first professional season, is now recovering from a hamstring injury.
- Kilgore suggests Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann could be an extension candidate this offseason. Zimmermann, a likely super two player, came back from Tommy John surgery to put together a fantastic season in 2011, but he has now reached his innings limit for the year.
- For a look at a key member of the Nationals' front office, check out MLBTR's piece on GM candidate Bryan Minniti.
I’d be fine having Livan next year as a long reliever… I can’t see anyway that he’s in the rotation unless 3 or 4 guys go down
Ah, the perception of depth in a rotation is a dangerous thing. The only Nats starters with a proven track record are Zimmermann and Lannan. Stras is coming back from an injury (though I am surprisingly confident that he will dominate for 160 innings). Detweiller, Peacock, and Millone are unproven. Wang is still a bit of a wild card and not even under contract for 2012 and Gorzelanny is probably stuck in the bullpen from here on out because he sucks.
It is possible that the Nats could have 7 major league quality starters. But more likely than not, only 4 will emerge from that group out of spring training.
Strasburg’s 6 projected starts – 5 will be @ home…skeptical…I think so
For you last two blow-holes: where, exactly, ought the Nationals have Strasburg continue to make his rehab starts? His 30 day rehab assisgnment will be up and even if they optioned him to the minors the minor league season will be done. So the choice is make rehab starts in the big leagues or go to Vierra and pretend to throw live games. So the notion they’re pushing him against medical advice is horsecrap of the highest order. As to mikeclyne’s observation, if you were the Nats, would you line up Strasburg to maximize his home starts or not? If not, why the hell not?