Johnson not worried about Strasburg's rocky start

[August 19, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- One day after Stephen Strasburg was hit hard in his third rehabilitation start following Tommy John surgery, Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he was not worried about the young pitcher.

On Wednesday, Strasburg allowed five runs and four hits in 1 2-3 innings for Class-A Hagerstown.

Johnson said Strasburg's results weren't important, and that in his experience, minor league hitters were just trying to get their swings against a big-league pitcher.

Strasburg's next start is set for Monday night in Hagerstown. Johnson said the 23-year-old right-hander would throw 65 pitches or four innings. It will be Strasburg's third appearance in Hagerstown in four rehab starts.

Johnson said he and pitching coach Steve McCatty would watch Strasburg throw a bullpen session on Friday.

[Associated Press]

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