Washington Nationals pitcher Strasburg is back

Stephen Strasburg was on target and up to speed. Twenty-five strikes. Only six balls. Upper 90s on the radar gun. If Sunday’s rehabilitation start was any indication, the Washington Nationals pitcher who was such a rookie phenomenon a year ago hasn’t been derailed or deterred by Tommy John surgery. Strasburg struck out four and allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings Sunday for the Class A Hagerstown (Md.) Suns in his first competitive game since his elbow was rebuilt a year ago. Strasburg gave up three hits to the Greensboro Grasshoppers, including an opposite field home run by Jacob Realmuto. Strasburg struck half the eight batters he faced, including the first two, and didn’t throw a ball until his ninth pitch. – Associated Press