Stephen Strasburg threw pitches off flat ground in the outfield Wednesday afternoon, leaving the Nationals encouraged about the state of the right-hander’s neck and upper back.
Strasburg had not thrown since departing Friday night’s start in Cincinnati after one inning with neck discomfort. He was placed on the disabled list with a left trapezius strain the following day, with the Nationals saying he wouldn’t throw again until the injury had healed.
Strasburg had informed the club’s training staff that he felt better, and thus he was cleared to throw Wednesday. He threw in a pitching motion, though not at full velocity, on flat ground with pitching coach Steve McCatty and assistant athletic trainer Steve Gober alongside.