Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg leaves start in third with apparent injury...

Stephen Strasburg’s return to Washington’s rotation was delayed an hour by rain, but at 8:01 PM EDT in D.C., the Nationals’ 28-year-old right-hander took the mound in the nation’s capital.

Strasburg landed on the DL last month with right elbow soreness and missed 16 games while he worked his way back to take the ball tonight.

He lasted just over two innings, however, leaving the mound after grimacing and looking uncomfortable on the hill after his last two pitches.

Strasburg looked toward the dugout following his 42nd pitch of the night, and team trainer Paul Lessard and pitching coach Mike Maddux came out to visit the right-hander on the mound for a short conversation before he was lifted from the game.

No word on what it was that was bothering the right-hander, but he was throwing heat on the mound, with a fastball that was around 95-96 while he was on the hill. He was throwing a nice low 90s changeup too.

The Braves’ broadcast also showed footage of the right-hander stretching out his leg/calf before he eventually left, so any attempts to determine what was wrong would be merely speculative at this point.

The Nationals rarely (though they have before this season) comment on injuries during the game, so you’ll likely have to wait until after tonight’s rain delayed game for more information, but we’ll have it when/if there is further news...