The Washington Nationals reinstated right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg and returned from rehab and reinstated infielder Stephen Drew from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.
Strasburg, who will start on Wednesday night vs. the Atlanta Braves, missed 16 games with right elbow soreness in his most recent disabled list stint. The right-hander, who missed 17 games in June with an upper back strain, returns to the active roster carrying a 15-4 record and a 3.59 ERA in 23 starts this season.
Named the National League Pitcher of the Month for July after posting a 4-1 record and a 2.08 ERA, Strasburg has struck out 11.08 batters per nine innings this season and held opponents to a .218 batting average against. He has struck out 179 batters against just 44 walks in 145.1 innings.
Drew, 33, returns to the Nationals' active roster after missing 40 games due to vertigo-like symptoms. Before landing on the disabled list, Drew hit .262 with eight doubles, one triple, seven home runs, nine walks and 17 RBI in 51 games. He went 3-for-12 (.250) with a double and two RBI in five rehab games with Single-A Potomac.
With the reinstatement of Strasburg and Drew, the Nationals have 37 players on their active roster.