After Stephen Strasburg finished his anticipated simulated game at Chase Field with no apparent issues, he said he "absolutely" remains on track to return from the disabled list Tuesday at Nationals Park against the Marlins.
Strasburg threw roughly 40 pitches -- fastball, curveballs and changeups -- over two simulated "innings." Strasburg experienced some wildness, but most important, his pitches were crisp, his velocity almost as blistering as the 106-degree Arizona heat that engulfed the park with the retractable roof open.
"I felt good," Strasburg said. "My mechanics were a little out of sync, but that's to be expected, not having a batter stand in there for close to two weeks."
Strasburg felt no effects from the inflammation in his right shoulder that forced the Nationals to scratched him from his scheduled start July 27 against the Braves. He said the soreness left his shoulder two days after the scratched start.
"It feels really, really good right now," Strasburg said. "I was a little anxious out there. I kind of flew open on a couple, but there was a lot of good pitches in there. It was coming out really good today, too.
"It's getting stronger every single day. I'm sticking with my routine, doing everything I can do to get back on the mound. I knew it was just a matter of time. I just needed a little blow, and I needed to get my strength back. I was going into a new area of the season I had never pitched at before. We just had to be smart about it."
Strasburg pitched to nine batters, Willie Harris and Justin Maxwell alternating in the batting cage. General Manager Mike Rizzo and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz watched from behind the plate and pitching coach Steve McCatty behind the mound. It had all the attention of Game 7 of the Simulated World Series.
"Just trying to get that feeling back of what I want to do with the hitter," Strasburg said.
Maxwell swung and missed three times, and Harris swung and missed once. They took most of the pitches, but each hitter ripped one line drive. After his, a simulated single to right-center, Harris shot his fist into the air and yelled, "Yeah!" before walking out of the cage and giving Maxwell a high five.
"That's Willie," Strasburg said. "He was talking a little smack beforehand."
Strasburg approached the session with as much intensity could be mustered at 1:40 p.m., with temperatures so high some parts of the Phoenix region operated under a heat warning. After he threw a ball on a simulated, 3-2 count to Harris, Strasburg yelled an expletive.
Strasburg also hit Maxwell in the back with a curveball. Both Maxwell and Harris came away with the impression that Strasburg is back to major league-ready.
"I think he's ready," Maxwell said. "He's goot good stuff. I'm glad he's on our team."
Strasburg threw about 20 pitches in each "inning," resting between them. After warming up for the second inning, Strasburg experienced trouble with the mound, a recurring issue this series. Groundskeepers scurried to the mound and pounded down the divot he created with rakes and a tamper.
