Nats general manager Mike Rizzo gathered before the local media at Nationals Park to talk about the promotion of top prospect Stephen Strasburg to Triple-A Syracuse. But he dropped some other nuggets on us, too. One was John Lannan’s injury situation. The 25-year-old lefty will miss his next start with elbow swelling.
But Rizzo also provided updates on rehabbing pitchers Ross Detwiler (hip surgery) and Chien-Ming Wang (shoulder surgery). Detwiler is furthest along at this point – mostly because his issue wasn’t an arm problem. But even he is still a few weeks to a month from starting a game in the minors.
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Jordan Zimmermann – the organization’s most touted pitching prospect this side of Strasburg and maybe reliever Drew Storen – is well ahead of schedule in his comeback from Tommy John surgery last August. Zimmermann is currently throwing live batting practice at extended spring training in Viera, Fla. and is at about 75 or 80 percent of his normal speed. Rizzo said the key there is holding Zimmermann back so he doesn’t do too much, too soon. Wang is on the same path as Zimmermann. He is throwing off a mound now and will soon move on to batting-practice situations.
In other news, Rizzo singled out Potomac outfielder Michael Burgess as a player who has impressed the front office with his performance in the first month of the season. Burgess, 21, has cut down on his massive strikeout totals so far with 18 in 93 at-bats. He has also walked 15 times, showing improved patience. That’s reflected in his .400 on-base average entering play Tuesday night. Burgess, who plays right field, possesses one of the strongest arms in Single-A. He has eight doubles and one home run so far and an OPS of .809. Burgess was the 49th overall pick by Washington in the 2007 MLB draft.
