ST. LOUIS -- Stephen Strasburg threw a simulated game Wednesday afternoon at Busch Stadium, tossing about 70 pitches in a little more than four innings in what he called the "last big test" in his recovery from the pinched nerve in his neck.
Initially, the Nationals had maintained Strasburg would need a Minor League rehab start before he returned to the rotation, but for the first time Wednesday, manager Dave Martinez acknowledged the possibility that the right-hander could return to the rotation without one. The next turn in the rotation will arrive at the start of a three-game series against the Phillies, one of the teams the Nationals are chasing in the standings in the National League East. If Strasburg escapes this simulated game without any issue, the Nats could slot him into the rotation during that three-game set.
"This is, I guess, the last big test," Strasburg said. "No reason, I don't think I shouldn't feel good tomorrow and I'm going to get ready for a start."
"We're hoping that he can be ready," Martinez said. "But we have to see how he feels tomorrow."

The recovery process for Strasburg has lasted longer than initially anticipated once he received a scalene block injection that helped relieve the discomfort in his neck. After the shot, Strasburg had to wait about a week to allow the medicine to take effect, which reduced his progress to some light tossing and playing catch. He has ramped up the activity lately with a few extended bullpen sessions and Wednesday's simulated game.
His absence has come at a difficult time for Washington as the team hangs on to its fading playoff hopes. Strasburg had already missed a month with inflammation in his right shoulder before he returned to the DL after one start with the neck issue. He has been reduced to just 14 starts this season, but he and the team have been careful not to rush him back into action.
"This is the first time I've ever had this, so I'm just going off what the doctors say to do," Strasburg said. "I would say we've been progressing as fast as possible and as long as they're ok with it, we're good."
Fedde also participates in simulated game
Erick Fedde also participated in Wednesday's simulated game, trading off with Strasburg on the mound during each other's respective resting periods. Fedde threw about 50 pitches on the mound in between three simulated innings in his most extended test since landing on the DL with right shoulder inflammation. While the objective of these simulated games is for Fedde to start increasing stamina, his competitiveness kicked in once he started facing hitters again.
"You'll come out of it and say your goal was to make sure I felt good, but when those guys are in the box, I'm trying to punch them out," Fedde said with a laugh.
Fedde was transferred to the 60-day DL the day prior, meaning he will not be eligible to return until Sept. 3 at the earliest, giving the Nats a chance to take it slow with their fifth-ranked prospect as rated by MLB Pipeline. He admitted the rehab process has been a little tougher than he expected because of the extended time he needed to be shut down before he resumed throwing.

In six starts this year in the Majors, Fedde has posted a 5.79 ERA, which is inflated despite the bright spots he has shown at times this year. Fedde has been sidelined since July 5 and even though there might not be a clear spot for him in the Nats' rotation by the time he returns, Martinez said they plan to keep him as a starter.
"If anything, this gives me more time just to make sure I'm fully ready to go," Fedde said. "Hopefully, I can get back up here and help the guys out."