Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg will be the Opening Day starter for a third consecutive season on March 31 against the New York Mets, manager Matt Williams announced.
“He has experience there. He’s done it before,” Williams said Wednesday night of Strasburg, according to The Washington Post. “And he’s earned it.”
In his 2012 Opening Day start against the Chicago Cubs, the 25-year-old Strasburg pitched seven innings, allowed one run and struck out five in a 2-1 victory. In 2013, Strasburg pitched seven shutout innings and struck out three in a 2-0 victory over the Miami Marlins.
“Coming into spring, his objective is to hold baserunners better,” Williams said. “He is working on those things because he wants to be good as he can possibly be. Again, he has great stuff. He certainly has experience on Opening Day.
“Opening Day is special and it’s an honor for anybody that is chosen to go Opening Day. Is it more important than any other start he is going to make throughout the year? No, but it’s Opening Day. He is ready for it, he is excited for it and so are we.”
Strasburg, who has given up one earned run in nine innings this spring, was 8-9 with a 3.00 ERA over 183 innings in 30 starts last season. After the season, Strasburg underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow.