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After throwing, Strasburg set for Thursday

Ace right-hander believes forearm tightness was from trying new pitch

WASHINGTON -- After missing his most recent start with right forearm tightness, Stephen Strasburg said on Tuesday that his bullpen session went well, and added that he will start Thursday against the Marlins.

Strasburg was one of a handful of players to travel to Nationals Park on Monday in the wake of the morning's shooting at the nearby Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters. The right-hander threw his scheduled bullpen session Monday afternoon.

"He feels great. We're by [his forearm issues]," manager Davey Johnson said. "We're set to go for [Thursday]."

Johnson said Friday that Strasburg felt the tightness after experimenting with a new pitch. Strasburg said the new pitch is "nothing crazy," and said he isn't sure whether it caused the injury.

"I think I was trying to stretch it a little bit too aggressively," Strasburg said. "I've been messing around with pitches all year. The trainer said when you try to stretch it too much, your body's natural reaction is to tighten up, which is what I was feeling.

"I know not to do it in September next year."

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time. He also could be found on Twitter @WashingNats. Tom Schad is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Washington Nationals, Stephen Strasburg