Bela Sei Bela Video || Best Record

Click & Close Ads Click & Close Ads An off-day came and went, a morning bustled by, and by 3:3o p.m. Tuesday, the Nationals still had not announced a starter for the evening’s series opener against the Braves. Stephen Strasburg seemed likely to return from the 15-day disabled list after a successful 71-pitch rehab outing last week, but who knows with the Nationals’ injury luck these days. Perhaps he wouldn’t after all. Then came word. Strasburg was back, officially reinstated late Tuesday afternoon in time to start against the Braves in the series opener. The rotation is intact again, the band back together after a month-long breakup when Strasburg and Doug Fister ended up on the disabled list. The Nationals placed Strasburg on the disabled list on May 30 with what was officially referred to as a strained left trapezius muscle. His neck locked up in a start against the Reds on May 29, and he left the game after one inning of work. He left his May 5 start with soreness on the right side of his lower back. He did not make it past the fifth inning in any of his five May starts. Click & Close Ads Click & Close Ads He returns Tuesday night, a sweltering evening at Nationals Park, one that may be disrupted by rain — unfavorable conditions for a first test. But he also faces a Braves lineup without Freddie Freeman who pesters the Nationals at every opportunity, but is on the disabled list. Given that Strasburg threw 80 pitches Wednesday with Class AA Harrisburg (he threw nine extra pitches in the bullpen after leaving the game), Nationals Manager Matt Williams said the right-hander should be able to throw 95 to 100 pitches Tuesday. Strasburg’s struggles this season are the worst of his career, and are likely partially a product of mechanical struggles stemming from an ankle injury in spring training and corresponding compensation. Prior to going on the disabled list, Strasburg exhibited spotty command that yielded a 6.55 ERA in 10 starts. Williams said Tuesday’s start is “big for him health-wise.” “Anytime you step on the mound or to the plate or play defense and you’re not 100 percent, you don’t feel good, something wrong, it’s never any fun. You end up thinking about that as opposed to executing whatever you’re trying to do,” Nationals Manager Matt Williams said. “So tonight it’s important that one, that he feels good when he walks out there and he can let it go and let it fly and there aren’t any restrictions, first and foremost. It’s important for him to be able to throw it where he wants to. ”Click & Close Ads Click & Close Ads