Scott Olsen gets the start for the Nats tonight when they conclude a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. He’s in the midst of a 13-inning scoreless streak after two quality starts against the Dodgers and Cubs and appears to be rounding into shape after shoulder surgery last summer.
The 26-year-old was a huge question mark as recently as a month ago. After his surgery to repair a small labral tear the Nats had to decide if Olsen would regain the form he showed during his time in Florida. That was a complete roll-of-the-dice by general manager Mike Rizzo. Olsen started spring training throwing only around 84 miles-per-hour. That’s not going to get it done against big-league hitters unless you’re named Livan Hernandez or Jamie Moyer.
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“That’s why it was really a tough call for Mike Rizzo to say ‘Okay, we’re going to keep Scott Olsen and put him in the minor leagues or cut the cord on him because we don’t think he’s going to come back,” Nats manager Jim Riggleman said during his pregame press conference about two hours ago. “Our doctors said, ‘No he’s coming back.’ Scott said he’s coming back. And Mike chose to keep him and very quickly he’s back with us and he’s gotten a little better every time, he’s stronger every time.”
This will be Olsen’s fifth start of the season. His arm strength has gradually improved with each outing. Now he’s close to 90 on most nights. That’s a huge difference. If Olsen (2-1, 4.35 ERA) hadn’t shown such quick progress it could have been the end of his time with the Nats.
“It was not an easy call, right down to the wire,” Riggleman said. “His last couple [spring training] outings [pitching coach] Steve McCatty and [Rizzo] and [minor-league pitching coordinator] Spin Williams all looked at him enough and said ‘This guy’s a good pitcher. These guys just don’t fall out of trees.”
