Stephen Strasburg Progressing Well Following Tommy John Surgery, Could Pitch ‘Sometime Late in the Year’

Pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg became an instant must-watch player after he struck out 14 batters in his major league debut last June. But the 22-year-old would only make 12 more starts before needing Tommy John surgery.

Nearly a year later, though, Strasburg is reportedly on pace for a potential September return, according to Sporting News.

"I hear his progress is coming along great," Nationals manager Davey Johnson told WJFK-FM in D.C. "He's throwing the ball real well, and he hasn't had any setbacks to speak of, and I look for him, you know, sometime late in the year, maybe September."

On Tuesday, Strasburg threw 45 pitches to hitters in Florida, MASNsports.com reports. The Nationals want him to throw about 50 rehab innings before making his MLB return, according to the report.