A Strasburg question?

He'll be the ace once he recovers from Tommy John surgery but once he resumes pitching the Nats would be wise to slot him 2 or 3. That said, he probably won't be back until late 2011 or 2012.

Either number 1 or 2. He is an ace, no doubt, but we'll all have to see how he recovers from Tommy John surgery, which can either make a pitcher much better or much worse. If he is as good as he was this past season, and if Jordan Zimmermann is as good as he was his first season before his Tommy John surgery, they will fight for 1 and 2 in the Nats rotation.

And I highly doubt that he will pitch this season. The recovery time for this type of surgery is 12 to 18 months, and a 12 month recovery would have him coming back just for September. Unless the Nats are fighting for a spot in the playoffs, I don't think that we will see him in the major leagues. If they were smart, they wouldn't try to rush him back and risk further injury.

Being that he is just coming off of Tommy John surgery, put him in the number three spot to start. Let him earn his way to number two and give him the season at the number 2 spot. He is new to the Major Leagues and should not be thrown into the number 1 spot. No doubt about it, he is worthy of the number 1 spot but for somebody as young as him, they should not put him there yet. Give him the year in the number 2 spot if he performs well enough to deserve to be there but start him initially in number 3 being that he is coming off of Tommy John surgery.

I would ease him into the role maybe throw him in the 4th spot and work his way down. We all know that he has great talent but who knows how the surgery turned out. He might be the next Mark Prior. Personally I think he is going to come back stronger than ever, especially that most of the successful pitchers have had Tommy John surgery.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

First

He's an ace, no doubt about it. But there is doubt you see him pitch this year. Tommy John surgery not too long ago and he's sitting out all this season.

A No.1 starting slot is earned. He goes back into the rotation like everyone else...if he remains dominant he's a No. 1...if not you are looking at a No.2, 3 starter.

They need to nurture him carefully. He will be an ace soon enough, but he ought not to be rushed. An arm like that is too valuable. Don't expect him in 2011.

The reason the nationals made so much money last year was over hype from him. If they want to make more, i'd put him smack dab in the front at 1st

I think 1