Opening day against the Chicago Cubs will be “Strasmas” for Nationals fans.
Manager Davey Johnson announced today that Stephen Strasburg will take the mound for the Nats on April 5 at Wrigley Field. The announcement came a few hours after the 23-year-old right-hander allowed two hits over five innings, striking out three and walking one, in a 2-0 loss to the New York Mets.
Johnson told masnsports.com’s Dan Kolko and other reporters the decision was easy. Johnson said he’s been considering putting Starsburg atop the rotation since the winter meetings in December, and as the spring progressed, the decision became clear.
Strasburg will be starting his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2010. His first action since the surgery was in September, when he pitched in five games with a 1.50 ERA. The team has said he will be limited to 160 innings this season.
