MILWAUKEE -- Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who was scratched from Monday's start against the Dodgers because of an upper back strain, had a light bullpen session Friday at Miller Park without any problems. Strasburg is confident that he can pitch against the Brewers on Sunday.
"Everything seems to feel pretty good. Everything felt good in the bullpen," Strasburg said. "The back is better. I'm getting anti-inflammatories. It seemed to have cleared up pretty good. I feel it is going in the right direction. Hopefully it will continue that way."
Strasburg popped two ribs out of place during a weight training mishap, causing the back problems. Strasburg acknowledged it was hard to breathe with the ribs out of place. A chiropractor later fixed the issue.
"It was some kind of freak thing that must have gone on in the weight room," Strasburg said. "I really don't know why. It kind of threw everything out of sync."
Manager Dusty Baker is encouraged that Strasburg will take his turn Sunday.
"If he feels encouraged, I'm encouraged," Baker said. "He has been working hard with our training staff to get ready for this start. I'm sure he wouldn't have gone out there if he wasn't ready. He says he ready, then welcome."
Strasburg is off to his best start, going 10-0 with a 2.90 ERA in 14 starts.