Strasburg to pitch again August 10th?

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

08/02/10 9:01 PM ET


PHOENIX -- Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg played catch and long toss in the outfield on Monday for the second consecutive day without having any problems, according to pitching coach Steve McCatty. Strasburg threw as far as 120 feet.
The next step for Strasburg, who has been on the disabled list because of shoulder stiffness retroactive to July 22, is a bullpen session Tuesday at Chase Field followed by a day off Wednesday. On Thursday, Strasburg will throw a simulated game. He is eligible to come off the DL on Friday, but the Nats have said that he will not rejoin the club on the current seven-game road trip that continues to Los Angeles.

Additionally, the club has not announced when Strasburg will rejoin the rotation, but based on the timing of his simulated game, the rookie is lined up for a start against Florida on Aug. 10 in Washington. Manager Jim Riggleman has said that he does not believe Strasburg will need a rehab assignment before being taken off the DL.

In nine Major League starts, Strasburg is 5-2 with a 2.32 ERA.

Topps Red Hot Rookie #5 is Sterlin Castro

Topps announces the player redeemable for the 2010 Topps Baseball Series 2 RED HOT ROOKIE Redemption # 5 is Chicago Cub Starlin Castro.

Throughout the remainder of the 2010 Major League Baseball season, Topps will announce the subjects for the 10-card RED HOT ROOKIE program. Each Topps Series 2 Hobby Box includes (1) RED HOT ROOKIE Redemption, which can be redeemed online at www.topps.com/redemption.


Stay tuned for RED HOT ROOKIE # 6!


2010 Topps Baseball Series 2 Red Hot Rookies
#1 Carlos Santana
#2 Jose Tabata
#3 Brennan Boesch
#4 Mike Stanton
#5 Starlin Castro
#6?