Ever since the Nationals took right-hander Stephen Strasburg with the first overall pick in last June's draft, fans had been salivating about the thought of watching the 21-year-old phenom with the 100 mph fastball. Actually, they'd been salivating about it ever since the Nationals secured the right to draft Strasburg in September 2008.

That day finally came March 9. He pitched two scoreless innings against the Tigers yielding two hits and no walks. Strasburg struck out two—including slugger Miguel Cabrera—and hit 98 mph on the radar gun.

There were plenty of people watching across the game. The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network—the regional sports network jointly owned by the Nationals and Orioles—altered its spring training schedule to broadcast...

Stephen Strasburg battled some nerves and location issues during his spring training debut. Other than those minor hiccups, the top prospect was pretty impressive. Strasburg threw two scoreless innings in the Washington Nationals' 9-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, responding well to the hoopla surrounding his first exhibition start.

Oliver Perez threw strikes, and that was enough for the New York Mets for now. Perez was hit hard in his first spring start, but Omir Santos' inside-the-park grand slam helped the Mets beat the Washington Nationals 6-5 on Sunday. The Mets are looking for a big year from Perez, who finished last season on the disabled list after undergoing right knee surgery September 1.

Derek Lowe got off to a solid start after a rough first season in Atlanta, pitching two hitless innings in the Braves' 11-8 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday. Atlanta's new closer, Billy Wagner, did not fare so well. He gave up three hits and two runs in the third inning. Yunel Escobar went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Melky Cabrera had two hits and an RBI for...

Derek Lowe got off to a solid start after a rough first season in Atlanta, pitching two hitless innings in the Braves' 11-8 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday. The Braves new closer, Billy Wagner, did not fare so well. He gave up three hits and two runs in the third inning. Yunel Escobar went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Melky Cabrera had two hits and an RBI for the...

Anibal Sanchez says it's been five years since he felt this healthy in spring training, which is why he was grinning after his first spring training start Thursday. Sanchez struck out three in two innings to help the Florida Marlins beat the Washington Nationals' split squad 10-4. The right-hander has been plagued by injuries and spent two stints on the disabled list last year.