But if Strasburg continues like this – three earned runs in 12 1/3 innings with 22 strikeouts and five walks – he will earn the mantle of staff ace and must adjust accordingly. And it is nights like this one – after a 1-5 road trip and an 11-21 stretch since May 14 – where a true ace earns his keep. It is a role Strasburg still must grow into. But he’s the only one in the organization who can do it. Tonight, a near-sellout crowd will watch him face Baltimore native Gavin Floyd (2-7, 5.64 ERA). 

Some other pregame news before we get to the lineups. Jordan Zimmermann, the top prospect still working his way back from Tommy John surgery last summer, is way ahead of schedule now. The 24-year-old threw 35 pitches for Nats coaches and front-office personnel on Friday afternoon during a simulated game. The team didn’t have a radar gun on him. But the pop of the catcher’s mitt was audible throughout the empty stadium. And Zimmermann reportedly has reached 94 miles-per-hour in recent weeks during his throwing program at the organization’s spring-training complex in Viera, Fla. Zimmermann’s fastball, curve and slider all looked good, according to pitching coach Steve McCatty. The change-up is still a work in progress and something Zimmermann likely needs multiple minor-league starts to fix. But manager  Riggleman said Zimmermann, whenever deemed ready to return to the big leagues, will be a starter and not pitch out of the bullpen at all. That process begins with a start at Single-A Potomac sometime next month.

“I can’t say that I’m surprised,” McCatty said. “They do so well on these surgeries now that whether he should be here now or not I can’t tell you. I just know that I’m happy that from what I saw today the program he’s on, the rehab, has worked outstanding for him. We’ve just got to be patient.”

Meanwhile, starter Jason Marquis, who underwent elbow surgery last month, threw from 90 feet at Nationals Park on Thursday. But he still has to go through a full rehab process before he’s ready to return. The team gave no timetable for his return, either. McCatty said he also recently put in a phone call to Chien-Ming Wang as the veteran continues to rehab in Florida from last year’s shoulder surgery. He’s getting closer. But the club is also being patient with a pitcher who is still under contract for next season.

“[Florida] wears on you,” McCatty said of the reason for the phone call.

Tonight’s lineups might have a late addition. Sounds like President Obama could in fact make an appearance tonight to see Strasburg and his beloved Chi-Sox. Will keep you posted if we see or hear from him.

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