Reserve arms are on the way this summer

However the rest of May goes for the Nationals, there is help on the way. Top prospect Stephen Strasburg made his second start at Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday night and is on target for a big league promotion in early June. There are major league scouts who believe Strasburg would be Washington’s best pitcher right now if he was in the majors. That will be a tremendous boost to a club that hasn’t received the expected performances from starters John Lannan or Jason Marquis, both battling elbow problems.

But if the bullpen needs a shot in the arm, Syracuse can provide that, too. Reliever Drew Storen, last year’s other first-round pick, has allowed just two runs in 14 2/3 innings between Syracuse and Double-A Harrisburg this season. The 22-year-old could patch any hole that opens in the bullpen between now and next month.

Later in the summer, the organization hopes veteran Chien-Ming Wang (shoulder) and prospect Ross Detwiler (hip) are viable options in the rotation. Neither is ready for a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Jordan Zimmermann, the Nats’ top young starting pitcher other than Strasburg, is making a quick recovery from Tommy John surgery last summer. He could make a few minor league starts before the end of the season.