Stephen Strasburg is only one week removed from surgery to alleviate carpal tunnel neuritis in his right hand, but according to manager Dave Martinez, last year’s World Series Most Valuable Player is already on the road to recovery.

Strasburg is prohibited from rehabbing at Nationals Park due to MLB’s COVID-19 protocols, but Martinez said the pitcher is resting at home as he recovers from the surgery. His sutures are slated to be removed next week, at which time Strasburg will be reevaluated.

“He's working out whenever he can; he's got an unbelievable gym in his house and he's got somebody coming over to help him,” Martinez said. “He’s not going to throw here, I would assume, for a while.”

Building up confidence
It’s been one week since the Nationals optioned Carter Kieboom to the club's alternate training site in Fredericksburg, Va., and while Martinez hopes to have the 22-year-old back in the Majors at some point this season, the manager said there’s still some work to do.

“When we assessed Carter at the time, he was trending downward,” Martinez said. “We wanted to make sure that he didn't just completely go downhill, so we want to get him just to kind of relax and get as many at-bats as he needs without putting any pressure on himself.”

Kieboom was slashing .200/.359/.200 with no home runs and five RBIs in 64 plate appearances this season before being sent down. The acquisition of Brock Holt further complicates Kieboom’s role if and when he returns, but Martinez said the club’s evaluators have seen positive signs during the past week.

“He's actually swinging the bat better, so we'll see in the next week or so,” Martinez said. “I’d love to get him back up here and let him play. I want him to gain some confidence again, and then when he comes up here, see what he can do.”

Guerra to IL
The Nationals placed right-hander Javy Guerra on the 10-day injured list prior to Wednesday's game with a left hamstring strain. The club recalled fellow righty Kyle McGowin to take his place on the active roster.

Guerra departed Tuesday's game with trainer Paul Lessard after walking three straight batters with two outs in the eighth inning. The righty had walked only four batters over 14 innings in his previous 13 appearances this season.