Strasburg to be activated for tonight's start

Strasburg throws bullpen session 0:14

The broadcast shares an update on Stephen Strasburg and talks about the starter throwing a bullpen session prior to the game vs. the Mets

NEW YORK -- Manager Dusty Baker announced after the Nationals' 9-7 win over the Braves on Tuesday that Stephen Strasburg will be activated to start in the series finale on Wednesday.

"It would mean a lot to us because he's one of our big three, he's one of our main three," Baker said before Tuesday's game. "He was having a great year, and he still has opportunities to finish a great year."

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Strasburg threw bullpen sessions this week and came away feeling well after each of them, including one that sent Gio Gonzalez into Baker's office raving about his teammate's progress.

Pitching coach Mike Maddux called Strasburg's bullpen session on Sunday a "normal bullpen" that a pitcher would throw three days before a start. Strasburg has only been sidelined with right elbow soreness since Aug. 22 and has been throwing almost regularly since, so the Nationals felt comfortable that he would not need a Minor League rehab start.

Right-hander A.J. Cole filled in adequately in Strasburg's absence, with a 3.86 ERA in three starts, with 17 strikeouts and seven walks.

Jamal Collier covers the Nationals for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jamalcollier. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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