Good afternoon DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily! As you enjoy today’s game between the Nationals and the Braves, get caught up on all the latest Nats news with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson gives us an update on Stephen Strasburg, who left his last start after three innings because of discomfort in his back. According to Ladson, Strasburg threw a bullpen session Saturday and felt normal, meaning that he could be ready to pitch early next week.
Needless to say, this is great news for the Nationals and for Strasburg. During his start on Tuesday, it looked like he was having problems with his shoulder, which is always a scary sight for pitchers. Fortunately, the issue was in his back—not his shoulder—and he had it fixed by a chiropractor the same day.
While we still don’t know when Strasburg will be back on the mound, the fact that the injury doesn’t appear to be anything serious and is not in his shoulder is a huge, huge relief for the Nationals.
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s James Wagner discusses Gio Gonzalez and the success he’s had early in the season. As Wagner notes, Gonzalez reported to Spring Training with more weight than he has in years past, and the extra mass has allowed him to keep his velocity up early in the season.
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While we won’t know how much Gonzales’ extra weight will help until later in the season, there’s no doubt that he’s looked much stronger to start this season than he did all of last year. He looked great again last night, throwing seven dominant innings. Hopefully for the Nationals, Gonzalez’ early season success will carry over into the summer.
Be sure to check out the articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Back in alignment, Strasburg raring to go
WASHINGTON — Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg had a bullpen session Saturday and said he felt normal and would be ready to pitch next week, possibly in Arizona, where the Nats will face the D-backs from Monday through Wednesday.
Strasburg left Tuesday’s game against the Marlins after three innings because of problems with his back. He went to a chiropractor that same day and had the problem fixed. Strasburg made it known that he did not have a shoulder issue. He emphasized it was back tightness and he believes changing his mechanics was the reason for the problem. Read full article here.
Gio Gonzalez has more mass, velocity and is pitching well
(James Wagner, Washington Post)
When Gio Gonzalez reported to spring training last year, he was at 192 pounds. His velocity was strong to start the 2014 season. But after his first-ever arm injury — shoulder inflammation that forced him to a miss month — his velocity dipped and finally ticked back up later in the season. And like most players, Gonzalez’s weight fell during the year.
With the Nationals’ blessing, Gonzalez reported to spring training this season a little bigger than before; the Nationals’ left-handed starter is listed at 210 pounds. “Heavier with good cushion,” he said. The reasoning? Some pitchers throw better with more mass, which can help put more oomph behind their pitches. And as the season wears on, Gonzalez’s body will have a better base to handle the in-season weight loss. Read full article here.