Strasburg Will Pitch for First Time Since Surgery

Last August when Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg torn his ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, which required Tommy John surgery, he was expected to miss one year to 18 months in order to recover from the injury.  However, less than a year after surgery, Strasburg will pitch one or two innings for the Class A Hagerstown Suns.  Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that as long as Strasburg throws well in his side session on Thursday, he will pitch on Sunday against the Greensboro Grasshoppers. 

Johnson hopes to have Strasburg back with the Nationals by September, but I'm not sure that is the best idea.  Strasburg wasn't supposed to be back until the 2012, and while pitching this early is good progress, the Nationals shouldn't push him too hard, too fast.  Sure, it would be great for the Nationals to get their best pitcher back (especially to put people in the seats in Washington), but the risks outweigh the benefits.  Let him continue to rehab in the minors this season, make sure he's completely healthy and then have him start on Opening Day in 2012.  The Nationals have way too much invested in Strasburg to risk another injury in a meaningless big league game late in the season.  What are your thoughts?  Leave a comment with how you think the Nationals should handle the Strasburg situation.