Strasburg improving after chiropractor session

WASHINGTON -- Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg said he felt better after seeing a chiropractor, who made a realignment underneath his shoulder blade, according to manager Matt Williams.

The appointment occurred Tuesday. The next day, Strasburg was playing catch in the outfield after the Nationals played the Marlins.

He is scheduled to pitch Monday against the D-backs, but Williams is not sure if Strasburg will be able to make the start. The team hopes he can throw a bullpen session this weekend, which could determine if he faces Arizona at Chase Field.

"He reported feeling pretty good today," Williams said. "So we'll look to see what's next for him. We'll see when he can get ready for his next start."

In the second inning Tuesday against the Marlins, Williams, pitching coach Steve McCatty and athletic trainer Lee Kuntz went to the mound to check on Strasburg. But he stayed in the game until right-hander Doug Fister came in as a pinch-hitter in the third inning.

Strasburg has been dealing with the shoulder problem since his April 30 outing against the Mets. But he battled through it, pitching 5 1/3 innings for his second win of the season.

Worth noting

• Reliever Casey Janssen (shoulder tendinitis) threw one shutout inning and struck out a batter for Class A Advanced Potomac on Thursday. He will throw again Sunday.

• Outfielder Reed Johnson, who ruptured a left foot tendon last week, had the foot covered in bandages, and he was walking on crutches. The bandages are expected to come off Monday. Johnson said he still hopes to help the Nationals late in the season, but he won't start jogging on the foot for about 10 weeks.

"I keep myself in really good shape," Johnson said. "I'm going to be doing a lot of stuff up until that 10-week moment. Other parts of my body will be ready. I'll be playing catch and doing stuff like that before I'll be jogging."

Johnson hurt the foot running the bases on April 28 as a pinch-hitter against the Braves.