Stras may be ready to increase workload

WASHINGTON -- Stephen Strasburg has been on the disabled list since July 5 with a strained left oblique, and on Monday manager Matt Williams said he is progressing well and may increase his workload in the coming days.

"He had some towel drills that he ordinarily does, but that was off the mound yesterday, so that's a good step," Williams said. "[He threw on] flat ground today, and we'll look to a bullpen in a few days."

Strasburg struggled for much of the early portion of the season, and he had a 6.55 ERA on May 30, when he made his first trip to the DL this year, with tightness in his neck. Between trips to the DL, he was 2-0 with two earned runs allowed over 15 2/3 innings. He was pulled 3 2/3 innings into his third start off the DL and hasn't pitched since.