WASHINGTON -- Stephen Strasburg joined the rest of the Nationals' pitchers to play catch in the outfield prior to Friday night's 12-2 loss to the Phillies at Nationals Park. It was the first evidence that Strasburg has resumed baseball activities since he landed on the disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said the inflammation in Strasburg's shoulder has almost gone away completely and this was the second time he has played catch this week. Those are positive signs for Washington, which has been without Strasburg since he went to the DL on June 9.
Strasburg posted a 3.46 ERA in 13 starts before his injury and the Nats have turned to right-hander Erick Fedde to fill his vacant spot in the rotation. The team did not set a timetable for his return because it wanted to be sure the inflammation in his shoulder cleared up before he resumed baseball activities.
Martinez did not have an update on the next steps for Strasburg, saying the team would have to wait until the next few days to monitor how his shoulder responds.
"[Strasburg's] progressing," Martinez said. "We want to make sure he's 100 percent."
Hellickson to begin rehab assignment
• Jeremy Hellickson will make a Minor League rehab start for Class A Advanced Potomac on Sunday. He is scheduled to throw around 85 pitches to ensure his right hamstring is recovered. If all goes well, Hellickson will almost certainly rejoin the Nationals' rotation for his next start.