Stephen Strasburg Throws for First Time Since Having Tommy John Surgery

Ladies and gentlemen, let the hype begin anew: Stephen Strasburg is throwing!

The Washington Post reported Thursday that last year's phenom began throwing a baseball for the first time since having Tommy John surgery on Sept. 3. Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty described the tosses as being of "a very short distance," but throwing is certainly a big milestone in the right-hander's rehab.

It's easy for some people to roll their eyes after all Stras-mania last year, but in his rookie campaign Strasburg accumulated an incredible 92 strikeouts in just 68 innings with the Nationals to go with his 2.91 ERA.

His FIP was a miniscule 2.08. He only made 12 starts, but those 68 innings he threw were just 1 1/3 innings fewer than AL Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz threw as the Rangers' closer. Put simply, he was electric in the few starts he made and we'll all be better off as baseball fans when he's back on the mound.

And when will that be? Even though he's playing catch now, it might not be during 2011. Tommy John surgery patients typically take at least a year to get back on the mound and since his surgery was in September it seems crazy to think that the Nationals would rush one of the most important pieces of their puzzle back for a start or two late in the season.

It's conceivable that he could appear out of the bullpen down the stretch if the Nationals find themselves in contention, but that seems pretty unlikely at this point. Still, it's got to be comforting for the Nationals to know that Strasburg is on track, even if he doesn't pitch in the majors until 2012.