Since he helped Washington win the World Series in 2019, earning an MVP nod for his work in the Fall Classic that year, Stephen Strasburg had made just seven starts for the Nationals before taking the mound tonight.
The 33-year-old righty made two starts in 2020’s 60-game season before surgery for carpal tunnel neuritis ended his 11th big league season, and he made just five starts in 2021, before surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome brought his 12th major league campaign to an end.
Following a long, measured rehab process, which stretched through the first two months-plus of the 2022 season, Strasburg built himself back up to the point he decided he was ready to return to the majors.