Sporting News staff reports
Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg, the top overall pick in the 2009 draft, will make his next Triple-A start Saturday, according to The Washington Post.
Although the Nationals haven’t made an official announcement, there has been speculation that Strasburg will make his major league debut June 4. That is Washington’s first home game in June, and it comes on the heels of a 10-game road trip that starts tonight.
Thus, Saturday’s minor league start could be Strasburg’s last before his major league promotion.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, though, said a date for Strasburg’s "hasn’t been determined yet."
He told reporters before Tuesday’s game, "There are factors that will be involved when we announce it. And even when we announce it, it’s not going to be settled on until after a couple days after he starts his last start in Triple A."
In nine starts between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Strasburg is 6-1 with a 0.99 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings.
"He’s been great," Rizzo said. "He’s a diligent worker. He works his butt off physically. He prepares terrifically. He’s a big, physical guy. I think he’s held up terrifically. For his first taste of this on an everyday basis, I think he’s doing great."
Sporting News staff reports
Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg, the top overall pick in the 2009 draft, will make his next Triple-A start Saturday, according to The Washington Post.
Although the Nationals haven’t made an official announcement, there has been speculation that Strasburg will make his major league debut June 4. That is Washington’s first home game in June, and it comes on the heels of a 10-game road trip that starts tonight.
Thus, Saturday’s minor league start could be Strasburg’s last before his major league promotion.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, though, said a date for Strasburg’s "hasn’t been determined yet."
He told reporters before Tuesday’s game, "There are factors that will be involved when we announce it. And even when we announce it, it’s not going to be settled on until after a couple days after he starts his last start in Triple A."
In nine starts between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Strasburg is 6-1 with a 0.99 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings.
"He’s been great," Rizzo said. "He’s a diligent worker. He works his butt off physically. He prepares terrifically. He’s a big, physical guy. I think he’s held up terrifically. For his first taste of this on an everyday basis, I think he’s doing great."