Last year was supposed to be a season of waiting for the Nationals — waiting for Stephen Strasburg to recover and waiting for Bryce Harper to mature. But that’s not exactly what happened. The Nationals played constantly compelling baseball, and by the end of the season observers were wondering — hey, are the Nats actually half-decent?

Yesterday we presented five of the Nationals’ top stories in 2011. Below are the remaining five. Feel free to provide your own list in the comments. Thanks for reading all year long.

5. Davey Johnson named manager

Johnson sputtered at the start once he took over for Jim Riggleman, but ultimately he won over the clubhouse and won his share of games. General Manager Mike Rizzo adores Johnson, and players did to. It was a no-brainer, then, that he’ll start 2012 as the manager of the most talented Nationals team since baseball returned.

(John McDonnell)

Best-case in 2012: In charge from spring training, Johnson can mold his bench and bullpen exactly as he sees fit. He continues to help hitters out of slumps. His wisdom, built over years and not drained a bit by his 11-year layoff from the majors, helps him push every correct button.

Worst case in 2012: Johnson was sharp for his full 2011 tenure. But over the course of a full season, it turns out that 11 years away from the game has an effect. A perfect relationship begins to sour.

4. Bryce Harper’s first professional season

He was dominant at Hagerstown, got hurt in Harrisburg and was excellent at the Arizona Fall League. More so, he gave a glimpse of what to expect once he gets to Washington. Harper blew a kiss to the pitcher after he hit a home run; showed up at the Futures Game in a rented Astin Martin; earned an ejection by screaming in an umpire’s face; joyously tossed his helmet in the air after he hit a walkoff home run; tweeted his support of the Yankees during the playoffs; and named his puppy, a Christmas gift, Swag. And the show is just getting started.

Best-case in 2012: Harper gets about a month of seasoning in Class AAA, thereby delaying his free agency one extra season. By mid-May, Harper has so thoroughly obliterated pitching in the International League that it would be a charade to keep him there any longer. They promote him May 14, the start of a seven-game homestand against the Padres, Pirates and Orioles. His stats, at 19 and the youngest player in the majors, he strikes out a lot but becomes an adequate middle-of-the-order bat, hitting .265/.331/.510 over the final two months of the season.

Worst case in 2012: The unexpected happens – Harper, for the first time, does not find a way to be the best player on the field. The advanced approach he finds at Class AAA stifles him, and his adjustment takes months, not weeks. He finally snaps out of a long slump, but not until August. The Nationals make him a September call-up, and he struggles for a month in the majors. He’s still 20 and still looks like a future star, but there is more doubt and the Nationals’ plans for him are delayed.

(Jed Jacobsohn – GETTY IMAGES)

3. Nationals trade for Gio Gonzalez

Last week, the Nationals made one of the biggest transactions in their brief history by trading four prospects for Gio Gonzalez. Losing the combination of Derek Norris, A.J. Cole, Brad Peacock and Tommy Milone may someday haunt the Nationals. But Gonzalez gives the Nats one of the most desirable rotations in baseball – Strasburg, Zimmermann and Gonzalez are all 26 or younger and all under control for at least four years.

Best-case in 2012: The addition of Gonzalez makes the Nationals a real, live contender for the first time since baseball returned. Gonzalez, like many pitchers his age, fixes any lingering control problems and, now in the National League, his ERA actually drops to 3.03 over 215 innings. The Nationals ride an electric trio of young arms to playoff contention, and the future looks even brighter.

Worst case in 2012: Taken out of Oakland’s cavernous ballpark, Gonzalez loses confidence and, worse, his already high walk rate – 4.1 per nine innings over the past two years – shoots up. He still pitches 180 innings, but Gonzalez wins just 10 games as Peacock settles in as a solid No. 3 starter in Oakland and Cole dominates Class AA in the second half.

2. Jim Riggleman quits

It had little impact on the Nationals in the long term, since Riggleman likely would not have been the Nationals’ 2012 manager no matter how 2011 turned out. But Riggleman’s stunning resignation still ranks this high on sheer shock value. It was the craziest story of the Nationals’ season, maybe of the entire baseball year, and it led to Johnson’s return to the dugout.

Best-case in 2012: Riggleman, now managing the Reds’ Class AA team, finds happiness in Pensacola and, by 2012, is back in the majors as a bench coach.

Worst case in 2012: Riggleman deeply misses his old job and finds nothing but regret in the minors. Teams remain scared off by his departure from the Nationals, and a good baseball man spends the rest of his career in the minors.

1. Stephen Strasburg returns

The best night of the Nationals season came in a loss. It didn’t matter much what happened Sept. 6 after Strasburg left the mound following five two-hit, no-walk, four-strikeout shutout innings against the Dodgers. Strasburg had returned with a new style, dialing back his fastball in exchange for enhanced command. He seemed to already have perfected it on the final day of the season, when he struck out 10 Marlins in six innings.

Best-case in 2012: Strasburg dominates like it’s 2010 all over again. The extensive shoulder strengthening Strasburg’s rehab allowed will protect him from any significant injury to his shoulder, which would be even more devastating than Tommy John surgery. The Nationals space out Strasburg’s starts as they realize they have a shot to make the postseason, and he still has enough innings left in his arm to start the first playoff game in Nationals history.

Worst case in 2012: Strasburg struggles as he adjusts to throwing his fastball a tick or two slower, and without that extreme velocity his other pitches suffer. He is merely quite good as opposed to great, and he tires sooner than expected and throws about 140 innings instead of 160.

There is, of course, a worse case than that. But it feels too cruel to even mention it.

Honorable mention: Nyjer Morgan traded to Milwaukee; Ryan Zimmerman misses two months; Tyler Clippard makes the all-star team; Drew Storen saves 43 games; Ivan Rodriguez steps aside; Livan Hernandez throws his likely last game with the Nats; Chien-Ming Wang returns, re-signs; Adam LaRoche signs, has season-ending shoulder surgery.

BILL PARCELLS isn’t a baseball guy. But he had it right a few years back when he uttered the universal sports truth: “You are what your record says you are.”

By that standard, the Washington Nationals are still losers–as they have been every year since 2005, their first season in D.C. Yesterday in Miami, they wrapped up their sixth straight sub-.500 season.

But there is a decidedly different feel to the 2011 Nationals, one that suggests that they soon may be able to borrow Charlie Sheen’s trademarked phrase: “Duh. Winning.”

An 80-81 season is hardly a lost cause–particularly considering Ryan Zimmerman missed a chunk of it and Stephen Strasburg nearly all of it.

In fact, it’s fitting that Strasburg–whose return from Tommy John surgery was about as encouraging as anyone could have hoped for–started yesterday’s final game of what could be the Nationals’ last losing season for a while.

No, Jayson Werth didn’t come close to justifying his ridiculous $126 million contract in his first year in D.C. And Washington’s .243 team average (27th among 30 major-league teams) must improve if the Nationals want to be playoff contenders.

But there is (finally) reason to believe.

Start with the obvious: pitching. Like Jordan Zimmermann a year ago, Strasburg seems to have come through his surgery stronger. He’ll be on an innings limit in 2012, but Zimmermann (a hard-luck 8-11 despite a 3.18 ERA in 2011) won’t be.

The bullpen is one of baseball’s best, with All-Star Tyler Clippard (1.85 ERA) setting up closer Drew Storen (42 saves). If Henry Rodriguez ever harnesses his 100-mph fastball, Nationals games could become six-inning affairs.

Behind Strasburg and Zimmermann, there should be both quantity and quality.

John Lannan (10-13, 3.70 ERA) keeps improving steadily and should be a back-of-the-rotation guy, where he belongs, in 2012. Chien-Ming Wang (4-3, 4.04) seems to be completely recovered from his 2009 shoulder surgery, and youngsters like Tom Milone and Brad Peacock now have successful big-league cameos to bolster their sparkling minor-league resumes.

Rizzo didn’t say what Strasburg’s limit will be.

“We’re still at the beginning of that process. We want to find out how he feels at the end of the season and where he’s at. We’ll calculate it and see what’s a comfortable amount for him,” Rizzo said.

Strasburg had his ligament-replacement operation in September 2010, then returned to the majors this September. He is 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA, zero walks and 14 strikeouts in 18 innings heading into the fifth start of his comeback Wednesday at the Florida Marlins on the last day of the regular season.

Nationals righty Jordan Zimmermann, who had the same surgery as Strasburg in August 2009, was shut down this season after reaching his innings limit. He threw 161 1-3 innings, making his last start on Aug. 28.

With Strasburg and Zimmermann set for next year’s rotation, and the lineup taking shape, Rizzo looked ahead to the offseason by declaring: “I think we’re an outfield bat away and a starting pitcher away from really being a contender in the division.”

Entering Sunday’s home finale against the Atlanta Braves, the Nationals were in third place in the NL East. Washington never has finished that high since moving from Montreal before the 2005 season.

“With the personnel that we have, I think you’re seeing a very young team kind of maturing at the same time and it looks good for the future,” Rizzo said.

He addressed a variety of other topics:

— Rizzo won’t reveal it, but he has a timetable in mind for having a permanent manager in place. Davey Johnson replaced Jim Riggleman on an interim basis in July.

“We certainly have a plan that we’d like to put in place so we can get on with the offseason,” Rizzo said.

Johnson is under contract for next year and Rizzo said he will work for the Nationals even if he’s not brought back as the manager — which appears to be a strong possibility.

“There’s a long process it’s got to go through,” Johnson said, “and I’m very comfortable with that.”

— The Nationals have started contract talks with right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, who went 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA in 11 starts coming back from shoulder surgery.

“He wants to be here, we want to have him and so I think there’s a lot of mutual interest,” Rizzo said.

— Washington could use pitching depth to make trades.

“Our pitching depth is the best I’ve seen since I’ve been around here, since the Lerners acquired the team (in 2006). We certainly would discuss trades to fill some of our needs, if the trade makes sense,” Rizzo said.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More: Stephen Strasburg (P – WAS), Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves

The Washington Nationals were defeated by the Atlanta Braves 7-4 on Friday night. The Nationals tried to rally back after a rough start from Stephen Strasburg, but the the offense’s gas just ran out. Friday’s loss ended the Nationals current win streak at five games.

Strasburg didn’t have early control of his pitches, often going to the rosin bag, and the Braves were able to tag him for three runs, two earned in the first inning. However, Strasburg settled after that and put zeros across the board for the next three innings. The young pitcher went four innings total, walked none and struck out three. He has not offered up a walk to the 114 Major League batters he has faced going back to August 2010. He threw 75 pitches on Friday, 46 going for strikes.

It is the first loss of 2011 for Strasburg who is now 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA.

Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth and catcher Wilson Ramos both went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs which was the Nationals scoring for the night.

WASHINGTON (CBS4) — Stephen Strasburg allowed one run and four hits over six innings in his third start after Tommy John surgery, but Donnie Murphy’s two-run home run in the 13th inning helped give the Florida Marlins a 4-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday night.

Murphy entered the game at shortstop in the 10th inning as part of a double switch.

John Buck led off the 13th with a single and Murphy hit a 1-1 pitch from Colin Balester (1-4) into the Marlins’ bullpen in left-center field for his first homer this year.

Mike Stanton doubled in Omar Infante later in the inning to give the Marlins a three-run cushion.

Clay Hensley (5-6) struck out the side in the 12th inning for the win. Leo Nunez pitched the 13th for his 36th save.

Wilson Ramos hit his 13th homer in the fifth inning for the Nationals, who have lost the first two games of the three-game series.

Strasburg’s night was much more efficient than his last start Sept. 11, when he threw 57 pitches in three innings. Against the Marlins, he needed just 61 pitches for an outing twice as long.

The right-hander took eight pitches to get leadoff hitter Emilio Bonifacio to fly out to shortstop. It was the last time he’d have such an extended at-bat — he finished three entire innings with eight pitches or fewer.

Strasburg finished the 1-2-3 first by striking out Stanton on three pitches, the final one a 99 mph fastball. It was one of just three strikeouts for Strasburg, the fewest in his 15 career starts, but he didn’t need the strikeouts as he quickly made his way through the Marlins’ lineup.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said before the game Strasburg would have “a much longer leash” against the Marlins, guessing he’d let Strasburg throw around 70 pitches. Strasburg threw 56 pitches over five innings in his first start back from surgery.

“I was more worried the first two times out in the big leagues, with the pressure and publicity and everything, I didn’t want to take him to where he was tired,” Johnson said.

However, when the seventh inning started, Johnson sent out reliever Henry Rodriguez rather than let Strasburg continue. Strasburg left with the game tied at 1 and has not had a decision yet this season.

Florida starter Chris Volstad also left with a no-decision despite a strong performance. Volstad allowed one run and six hits in seven innings, walking two and striking out three. Volstad has gone nine starts without earning a win.

The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the third. Volstad led off with a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Infante’s sacrifice fly to left.

Both teams left runners stranded on third in extra innings.

In the top of the 10th inning, Gaby Sanchez led off with a bloop single and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and groundout, but Greg Dobbs grounded out to second base to end the inning.

Ian Desmond led off the 11th for Washington and reached second on a throwing error by pitcher Steve Cishek. Desmond moved to third on Roger Bernadina’s sacrifice bunt. Chishek intentionally walked Ryan Zimmerman and got Michael Morse to ground into a double play.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

WASHINGTON (AP)—Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg(notes) had two
outs and two strikes on Florida Marlins slugger Mike Stanton(notes) in the first inning
Saturday night—and he went right at him.

Strasburg fired a high 99 mph fastball past Stanton for the strikeout,
showing he can still dominate hitters with his power.

But his manager was even happier to see Strasburg get through six innings
with three strikeouts, his lowest total in 15 career starts.

“It’s fun to watch,” Washington manager Davey Johnson said of Strasburg’s
punch-out pitch.

“I know the fans love it. As a manager, I don’t like to see it because he
elevates and adds to it. I’d rather just move it inside and do about the same
speed. But I’m sure he’s got something else in mind.”

Long after Strasburg left, Donnie Murphy’s(notes) two-run home run in the 13th
inning helped give the Marlins a 4-1 win over the Nationals.

John Buck(notes) led off the 13th with a single and Murphy hit a 1-1 pitch from
Colin Balester (1-4) into the visitors’ bullpen in left-center field for his
first homer this year.

“Last year, it seemed like every time I came up in that situation,
something good happened,” Murphy said. “And this year, there’s been a couple
times where I haven’t. But it’s just nice to get that first one.”

Stanton doubled in Omar Infante(notes) later in the inning to give the Marlins a
three-run cushion. Clay Hensley(notes) (5-6) struck out the side in the 12th inning for
the win, and Leo Nunez(notes) pitched the 13th for his 36th save.

The loss mattered less to the Nationals than seeing their star right-hander
come back strong after a rough outing.

Strasburg allowed one run and four hits over six innings in his third start
after Tommy John surgery and was much more efficient than his last start Sept.
11, when he threw 57 pitches in three innings. Against the Marlins, he needed
just 61 pitches for an outing twice as long.

“You’re going to have games like this, you’re going to have games like the
last one,” Strasburg said. “Sometimes you’re going to go out there and throw a
lot of pitches, but it’s all about how you bounce back, how you make adjustments
and see if you can keep the team in the ballgame.”

Strasburg’s control has been even more impressive than his power after
returning from the surgery. Strasburg has yet to walk a batter in 14 innings
this year.

“I’m just trying to throw strikes. Walks are going to happen,” Strasburg
said. “No one can go out and throw the ball exactly where they want to every
single time.”

Before the game, Johnson said he’d likely let Strasburg throw around 70
pitches. However, when the seventh inning started, Johnson sent out reliever
Henry Rodriguez(notes) rather than let Strasburg continue.

“He had a lot left,” Johnson said. “He could have actually gone further,
he could have gone another inning, but I figured six innings was plenty.”

Florida starter Chris Volstad(notes) also left with a no-decision despite a strong
performance. Volstad allowed one run and six hits in seven innings, walking two
and striking out three. Volstad has gone nine starts without earning a win.

Volstad also got the biggest hit of the night off Strasburg, a leadoff
double in the third. Volstad later scored on Infante’s sacrifice fly.

“He wasn’t really happy that the pitcher hit his fastball,” Johnson said
of Strasburg.

Wilson Ramos(notes) hit his 13th homer in the fifth inning for the Nationals, who
have lost the first two games of the three-game series.

After Ramos’ homer tied the game at 1, a combination of strong bullpens and
missed opportunities kept the teams playing until the 13th inning.

Murphy entered the game in the 10th inning as part of a double switch in
which left fielder Logan Morrison(notes) left the game. Morrison injured his right knee
after sliding into the wall while making a catch in foul territory to end the
ninth. Marlins manager Jack McKeon said Morrison would not play Sunday.

Balester pitched the final three innings and didn’t allow a hit until the
13th.

“Both teams are battling out there, both bullpens are pitching good, and
the starters pitched well, and you kind of feed off each other,” Balester said.
“After a while, something’s going to happen and it’s too bad it happened to
us.”

Notes: Strasburg is scheduled to make his next start Friday against the
Atlanta Braves. Johnson said it was possible Strasburg could also pitch in the
Nationals’ final game, Sept. 28 at Florida. … Washington RHP Brad Peacock(notes)
(1-0) will make his second major league start Wednesday. … The Marlins are 7-1
this season and 26-8 all time at Nationals Park. … Nationals RHP Chien-Ming
Wang(notes) (2-3) will start Sunday against Marlins LHP Brad Hand(notes) (1-7).

But his manager was even happier to see Strasburg get through six innings with three strikeouts, his lowest total in 15 career starts.

“It’s fun to watch,” Washington manager Davey Johnson said of Strasburg’s punch-out pitch.

“I know the fans love it. As a manager, I don’t like to see it because he elevates and adds to it. I’d rather just move it inside and do about the same speed. But I’m sure he’s got something else in mind.”

Long after Strasburg left, Donnie Murphy’s two-run home run in the 13th inning helped give the Marlins a 4-1 win over the Nationals.

John Buck led off the 13th with a single and Murphy hit a 1-1 pitch from Colin Balester (1-4) into the visitors’ bullpen in left-center field for his first homer this year.

“Last year, it seemed like every time I came up in that situation, something good happened,” Murphy said. “And this year, there’s been a couple times where I haven’t. But it’s just nice to get that first one.”

Stanton doubled in Omar Infante later in the inning to give the Marlins a three-run cushion. Clay Hensley (5-6) struck out the side in the 12th inning for the win, and Leo Nunez pitched the 13th for his 36th save.

The loss mattered less to the Nationals than seeing their star right-hander come back strong after a rough outing.

Strasburg allowed one run and four hits over six innings in his third start after Tommy John surgery and was much more efficient than his last start Sept. 11, when he threw 57 pitches in three innings. Against the Marlins, he needed just 61 pitches for an outing twice as long.

“You’re going to have games like this, you’re going to have games like the last one,” Strasburg said. “Sometimes you’re going to go out there and throw a lot of pitches, but it’s all about how you bounce back, how you make adjustments and see if you can keep the team in the ballgame.”

Strasburg’s control has been even more impressive than his power after returning from the surgery. Strasburg has yet to walk a batter in 14 innings this year.

“I’m just trying to throw strikes. Walks are going to happen,” Strasburg said. “No one can go out and throw the ball exactly where they want to every single time.”

Before the game, Johnson said he’d likely let Strasburg throw around 70 pitches. However, when the seventh inning started, Johnson sent out reliever Henry Rodriguez rather than let Strasburg continue.

“He had a lot left,” Johnson said. “He could have actually gone further, he could have gone another inning, but I figured six innings was plenty.”

Florida starter Chris Volstad also left with a no-decision despite a strong performance. Volstad allowed one run and six hits in seven innings, walking two and striking out three. Volstad has gone nine starts without earning a win.

Volstad also got the biggest hit of the night off Strasburg, a leadoff double in the third. Volstad later scored on Infante’s sacrifice fly.

“He wasn’t really happy that the pitcher hit his fastball,” Johnson said of Strasburg.

Wilson Ramos hit his 13th homer in the fifth inning for the Nationals, who have lost the first two games of the three-game series.

After Ramos’ homer tied the game at 1, a combination of strong bullpens and missed opportunities kept the teams playing until the 13th inning.

Murphy entered the game in the 10th inning as part of a double switch in which left fielder Logan Morrison left the game. Morrison injured his right knee after sliding into the wall while making a catch in foul territory to end the ninth. Marlins manager Jack McKeon said Morrison would not play Sunday.

Balester pitched the final three innings and didn’t allow a hit until the 13th.

“Both teams are battling out there, both bullpens are pitching good, and the starters pitched well, and you kind of feed off each other,” Balester said. “After a while, something’s going to happen and it’s too bad it happened to us.”

Notes: Strasburg is scheduled to make his next start Friday against the Atlanta Braves. Johnson said it was possible Strasburg could also pitch in the Nationals’ final game, Sept. 28 at Florida. … Washington RHP Brad Peacock (1-0) will make his second major league start Wednesday. … The Marlins are 7-1 this season and 26-8 all time at Nationals Park. … Nationals RHP Chien-Ming Wang (2-3) will start Sunday against Marlins LHP Brad Hand (1-7).

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg had two outs and two strikes on Florida Marlins slugger Mike Stanton in the first inning Saturday night — and he went right at him.

Strasburg fired a high 99 mph fastball past Stanton for the strikeout, showing he can still dominate hitters with his power.

But his manager was even happier to see Strasburg get through six innings with three strikeouts, his lowest total in 15 career starts.

“It’s fun to watch,” Washington manager Davey Johnson said of Strasburg’s punch-out pitch.

“I know the fans love it. As a manager, I don’t like to see it because he elevates and adds to it. I’d rather just move it inside and do about the same speed. But I’m sure he’s got something else in mind.”

Long after Strasburg left, Donnie Murphy’s two-run home run in the 13th inning helped give the Marlins a 4-1 win over the Nationals.

John Buck led off the 13th with a single and Murphy hit a 1-1 pitch from Colin Balester (1-4) into the visitors’ bullpen in left-center field for his first homer this year.

“Last year, it seemed like every time I came up in that situation, something good happened,” Murphy said. “And this year, there’s been a couple times where I haven’t. But it’s just nice to get that first one.”

Stanton doubled in Omar Infante later in the inning to give the Marlins a three-run cushion. Clay Hensley (5-6) struck out the side in the 12th inning for the win, and Leo Nunez pitched the 13th for his 36th save.

The loss mattered less to the Nationals than seeing their star right-hander come back strong after a rough outing.

Strasburg allowed one run and four hits over six innings in his third start after Tommy John surgery and was much more efficient than his last start Sept. 11, when he threw 57 pitches in three innings. Against the Marlins, he needed just 61 pitches for an outing twice as long.

“You’re going to have games like this, you’re going to have games like the last one,” Strasburg said. “Sometimes you’re going to go out there and throw a lot of pitches, but it’s all about how you bounce back, how you make adjustments and see if you can keep the team in the ballgame.”

Strasburg’s control has been even more impressive than his power after returning from the surgery. Strasburg has yet to walk a batter in 14 innings this year.

“I’m just trying to throw strikes. Walks are going to happen,” Strasburg said. “No one can go out and throw the ball exactly where they want to every single time.”

Before the game, Johnson said he’d likely let Strasburg throw around 70 pitches. However, when the seventh inning started, Johnson sent out reliever Henry Rodriguez rather than let Strasburg continue.

“He had a lot left,” Johnson said. “He could have actually gone further, he could have gone another inning, but I figured six innings was plenty.”

Florida starter Chris Volstad also left with a no-decision despite a strong performance. Volstad allowed one run and six hits in seven innings, walking two and striking out three. Volstad has gone nine starts without earning a win.

Volstad also got the biggest hit of the night off Strasburg, a leadoff double in the third. Volstad later scored on Infante’s sacrifice fly.

“He wasn’t really happy that the pitcher hit his fastball,” Johnson said of Strasburg.

Wilson Ramos hit his 13th homer in the fifth inning for the Nationals, who have lost the first two games of the three-game series.

After Ramos’ homer tied the game at 1, a combination of strong bullpens and missed opportunities kept the teams playing until the 13th inning.

Murphy entered the game in the 10th inning as part of a double switch in which left fielder Logan Morrison left the game. Morrison injured his right knee after sliding into the wall while making a catch in foul territory to end the ninth. Marlins manager Jack McKeon said Morrison would not play Sunday.

Balester pitched the final three innings and didn’t allow a hit until the 13th.

“Both teams are battling out there, both bullpens are pitching good, and the starters pitched well, and you kind of feed off each other,” Balester said. “After a while, something’s going to happen and it’s too bad it happened to us.”

Notes: Strasburg is scheduled to make his next start Friday against the Atlanta Braves. Johnson said it was possible Strasburg could also pitch in the Nationals’ final game, Sept. 28 at Florida. … Washington RHP Brad Peacock (1-0) will make his second major league start Wednesday. … The Marlins are 7-1 this season and 26-8 all time at Nationals Park. … Nationals RHP Chien-Ming Wang (2-3) will start Sunday against Marlins LHP Brad Hand (1-7).

The Marlins face young Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg on Saturday night with a combination of excitement, curiosity and trepidation.

Strasburg, the No. 1 pick of the 2009 draft, is back on the mound a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He’s got Washington abuzz again with optimism for the club’s future.

Strasburg (0-0, 1.13 ERA) is playing in his third game of the season. In eight innings he has given up five hits, one run and zero walks with eight strikeouts. Some of his fast balls were clocked in the 95-98 mph range.

The Marlins who faced Strasburg last season are eager to see if he is as good as new.

“From what I’ve heard, he’s right where he needs to be,” said Logan Morrison, who went 0?for?1 with two walks against Strasburg. “Ninety-eight mph is a good place to be.

“It’s a battle from the first pitch with him. He’s so electric.”

Gaby Sanchez expects the same blinding velocity out of Strasburg.

“I’ve seen what he’s done on TV and he’s definitely got his power back,” Sanchez said. “He’s got such an explosive fastball and great off speed pitches.”

Marlins manager Jack McKeon said Strasburg reminds him of the young Dwight Gooden.

“They’re in the same category — hard-throwing, charismatic guys,” McKeon said, adding that he would not overthink Strasburg’s comeback if he was his manager. “I wouldn’t worry about nothing. Let him play. Let him pitch. Let him let loose.”

Strasburg will face Chris Volstad (5-12, 5.31), who was the 16th pick in the 2005 draft, and McKeon hopes the matchup will inspire Volstad.

• Marlins general manager Mike Hill is confident that the healing and rehabilitation timetable for Hanley Ramirez will have the shortstop back in the lineup for Opening Day six and a half months from now.

Ramirez underwent surgery on his injured left shoulder on Thursday. The typical recovery period is four to eight months.

“The feedback we got was that he will be ready to go,” Hill said. “They opened it up and fixed what needed to be fixed. But whenever you’re talking about a surgery, you’re at the mercy of rehab. It’s definitely the goal that he’ll be ready for Opening Day.”

Asked whether Ramirez’s shoulder could have been bothering him throughout a disappointing season, Hill replied: “It’s hard to say. He’s a three-time All-Star and one of the five best position players in baseball and he wasn’t producing. Could there have been something wrong? There very well could have been.”

• The Marlins’ lack of production led to a new franchise record. In the four games previous to Friday’s game, the Marlins batted just .186 and scored one run in each game, going 0-4. Florida has now scored one run or fewer in 35 games this season, breaking the record of 33 in 1993. The Marlins are 2-33 in those games.

•  Mike Stanton, who turns 22 in November, has 54 career home runs, the fifth-highest total before the age of 22 in National League history, behind Mel Ott (86), Eddie Mathews (72), Frank Robinson (60) and Andruw Jones (55).

Scouting report

Nationals pitcher Strasburg, clocked at up to 98 mph in his first two appearances since returning from surgery a year ago, meets Volstad in a matchup of first-round draft picks.

Linda Robertson

Upcoming

Saturday: Marlins RHP Chris Volstad (5-12, 5.31 ERA) at Washington Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (0-0, 1.13).

Sunday: Marlins LHP Brad Hand (1-7, 4.02) at Washington Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler (2-5, 3.76).

By Jeff Sullivan

– Editor

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Sep 2, 2011 – The Washington Nationals have been eyeing a September 6 return for Stephen Strasburg to the major leagues. The final hurdle he had to clear was a Thursday-night rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg. Strasburg made that start, and it went pretty well. From the game report:

Stephen Strasburg allowed one hit over six shutout innings Thursday night for Double-A Harrisburg in what was expected to be his final minor league rehab start before he returns to the Washington Nationals.

Featuring a fastball that hit 99 mph, the No. 1 pick from the 2009 draft left with Harrisburg leading Portland 9-0. He struck out four and threw 70 pitches, 53 for strikes.

Six innings. One hit. Three strikes for every ball. A fastball that reached near triple digits. And, according to various reports on Twitter, lots of offspeed pitches as well. If that sounds like Stephen Strasburg, that’s because it’s Stephen Strasburg, as if nothing ever happened.

Well, not exactly. He did stop at 70 pitches. Strasburg is still in the process of coming back from major surgery, so the stamina hasn’t yet built up. But he has been throwing more and more every time. His pitch counts for his six minor-league rehab starts:

31
33
49
60
64
70

Strasburg’s building up his arm, and as he’s built up his arm, he hasn’t lost anything in the way of stuff. His fastball is still getting up there, and his curve is still sharp (although not always as sharp as he wants it to be). About the only indication that Strasburg was ever hurt is that he’s been coming out of games early, but he’s been going deeper and deeper, and on Tuesday, facing the Dodgers, he should work deeper still.

It’s expected that Strasburg will throw about 80 pitches next week. The time after that, perhaps 85 to 90. The time after that, he could exceed 90, and the time after that, he could very well reach 100. Strasburg’s in line to make four or five starts with the Nationals before the season draws to a close, and by his final go, he could be completely back to what he was before the whole mess.

Which is kind of the point of giving him time. Some wonder whether it’s worth it for the Nationals to bring Strasburg back to pitch in September, thereby pushing him and risking injury. But for the Nationals, not only is Strasburg good for attendance and buzz – using him gives him a chance to get stretched out and re-acquainted with the major league experience, a part of preparing for 2012.

All eyes will be on Strasburg next Tuesday, and for the rest of the season, but I don’t think people will be curious so much as they’ll be looking for Strasburg to confirm what they already figure: that he is just fine, and that the injury’s behind him. Tommy John is more of an inconvenience than anything else these days, and from all indications so far, Strasburg has emerged just peaches. There’s no reason to expect that to change as he moves from the minors to the majors.

Stephen Strasburg is finally back. That’s good for the Nationals, it’s good for baseball, and it’s good for all of us. It’s good for everybody, really, save for those who have to stand in front of him.

Read More: Stephen Strasburg (P – WAS), Washington Nationals

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Washington Nationals pitcher
Stephen Strasburg, who dazzled fans in 2010 until injury ended
his rookie campaign, is expected to make his first start in
over a year next week, the team said on Tuesday.

The hard-throwing right-hander, who has been recovering
from elbow surgery since last August, is scheduled to make his
much-anticipated return at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers
on Sept. 6.

Strasburg, 23, who will make his final rehab start on
Thursday for Double-A Harrisburg, will likely pitch no more
than five innings against the Dodgers next week, according to
Nationals manager Davey Johnson.

The highly rated Strasburg made a sensational Major League
Baseball debut last year, going 5-3 with a 2.92 ERA and 92
strikeouts in 68 innings before his campaign ended prematurely
due to elbow surgery.

Strasburg, the first pick in the 2009 draft and the ace on
the Nationals pitching rotation, had Tommy John surgery to have
the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow replaced.

The procedure is named after a former Major League pitcher
who was the first professional athlete to successfully undergo
the operation in 1974.

The Washington Nationals are in the bottom third of the league when it comes to average attendance to home games, with about 24,152 coming out each time the Nats play, according to ESPN.

But that number is likely to get a little bit of juice in early September if pitching sensation Stephen Strasburg(notes) continues on his current rehab path and joins the team.

The Washington Post reports that Strasburg had a side session Wednesday with no major issues, which clears him to make a Triple-A start for the Syracuse Chiefs and throw 70 or 80 pitches. After that, he may pitch on Sept. 1 for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators and then return to the Nationals lineup that he was last in back in August of 2010 when he tore a ligament in his arm.

“I don’t think he can come here before Sept. 6,” Nationals manager Davey Johnson said, the Post reports. “That was the date that I heard. But where he’s at, the number of pitches, the consensus is he needs a couple more outings, then bring him back here.”

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Source: Washington PostESPN

Related: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

By Sports Direct

Monday marks the fourth minor league rehabilitation start for Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg.

The 23-year-old will throw four innings or 65 pitches — whichever comes first — for the Class-A Hagerstown (Pa.) Suns against the Texas Rangers’ affiliate, the Hickory Crawdads.

On Sunday, Strasburg threw and worked out at Nationals Park under the eyes of the team’s staff. He had thrown a bullpen session the previous day.

Strasburg struggled in his last rehab start, giving up five earned runs in fewer than two innings.

Nearly 12 months removed from elbow ligament replacement (Tommy John) surgery, he could make his return to the major leagues Sept. 2.

Nationals officials have been hoping Strasburg could take over from fellow fireballer Jordan Zimmerman, who is nearing his team-enforced innings limit of 160. A 5 2/3 innings stint in his last start pushed the right-hander’s total to 150 2/3.

By: SportsDirect

Read More: Stephen Strasburg (P – WAS), Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg is set to make his third rehab start Wednesday night after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow last September. He will throw for low-Single A Hagerstown in a game against Lexington at 7:05 p.m.

Strasburg has pitched two rehab starts in the Washington Nationals’ minor league system, one for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns, and one for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals. In the first start for the Suns, Strasburg went one and two-thirds innings, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out four. In the next start for Potomac, Strasburg went three innings, allowing two hits and striking out five. 

Strasburg will be back with Hagerstown on Wednesday because the Suns are playing a home game. He will stay in the game until he either throws 60 pitches or completes four innings, whichever comes first.

The first overall pick in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft in 2009, Strasburg, 23, went 5-3 last season with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched over 12 starts. His season was cut short by the elbow injury.

Stephen Strasburg’s trip back to the major leagues will make another stop in Hagerstown.

The Hagerstown Suns announced that the Washington Nationals pitching star will pitch on Wednesday against Lexington at Municipal Stadium. It will be Strasburg’s second appearance with the Suns as he continues his comeback from elbow surgery.

How many innings and pitches Strasburg throws in the outing has yet to be determined.

Strasburg made his comeback debut with the Suns on Aug. 7 with a stint of 1 2/3 innings against Greensboro. He threw 31 pitches, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four.

He made his second start on Friday for the Potomac Nationals, Washington’s high Single-A affiliate in Woodbridge, Va. Strasburg competed three scoreless innings on 33 pitches, allowing two infield hits while striking out five.

If Strasburg continues his progression, four innings and/or 50 pitches could be possible.

The Nationals have been giving the first overall selection of the 2009 amateur draft work at the closest affiliates to Washington. The Suns got Strasburg’s firs start and are getting his third outing because they are only Nationals farm team playing at home.

It the pattern continues, there also is a chance for Strasburg to return to Hagerstown for Monday’s game with Hickory. Double-A Harrisburg is on the road and Potomac is off that day.

According to reports, the Nationals are planning to have Strasburg pitch every five days, as he will when he returns to Washington’s starting rotation. Strasburg’s schedule has closely mirrored that of starter Jordan Zimmermann, who will probably be shut down for the rest of the season in September.

The Nationals have placed Zimmermann — who rehabbed with the Suns last season after Tommy John surgery — on a 160-inning limit to protect his arm. If Strasburg progresses as hoped, he would assume Zimmermann’s slot in the rotation late this season.

Strasburg, 23, has bounced back quickly from the elbow surgery, which usually carries a 10- to 14-month recovery period. He injured the elbow on Aug. 21, 2010, before undergoing reconstructive surgery in September to replace a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

He worked for six months at Washington’s spring training site in Viera, Fla., before making his first Hagerstown start.

Strasburg was 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 68 innings last season before hurting his arm against Philadelphia. He became the talk of baseball after he struck out 14 Pittsburgh Pirates in his major league debut on June 8, 2010.

By: SportsDirect

Washington Nationals sensation Stephen Strasburg(notes) started only 12 games last season (5-3, 2.91 ERA) before being shut down to have Tommy John surgery. He took a big step toward returning to the team Monday when he threw his first session off a mound since the September surgery, according to MLB.com.

Strasburg, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft, tweeted about the event: “First bullpen in the books. Felt great! Hopefully time will speed up now!”

MLB.com notes that “there is an outside chance Strasburg could return to the Nationals this year,” but a 2012 return is more likely.

“That basically means he’s on the slope instead of flat ground,” Nats Manager Jim Riggleman said, according to MLB.com. “It’s probably 50 percent effort-wise. It’s the next step in the rehab — to get him throwing downhill, instead of on flat ground.”

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Source: MLB.comStephen Strasburg

Related: Washington Nationals