Strasburg impresses in first spring batting practice

VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg threw his first batting practice of the spring on Wednesday and was in top form. The session lasted about 10 minutes.

Tyler Moore, Roger Bernadina, Chris Snyder and Chad Tracy faced Strasburg and were largely unsuccessful at the plate. Moore was able to hit two liners up the middle that went into center field.

"He looked really good," Moore said. "The ball was coming out of his hand -- electric, sharp curveball, heavy sink on the sinker and a good sink on his changeup. Everything you want out of one your starters, and everything you don't want to see as the other hitter."

Said Strasburg about the outing, "I felt good. It was good to get back out there. It's good to get your sights back and throw certain pitches. I was working on a sinker, changeup, threw a couple of good curveballs in there. I was working on fastball command."

Strasburg will pitch the Nats' first Grapefruit League game against the Mets on Saturday at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie.

"It's going to be good to get back out there, get my work in, work on some of the things that I have been trying to build on from the offseason," Strasburg said. "Just begin the steady progression in getting ready for the season."