By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
05/01/10 12:46 PM ET
NEW YORK -- After Sunday's game against Double-A Altoona, Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg will be a step closer to the big leagues. According to a source in the Nationals organization, Strasburg is expected to be promoted to Triple-A Syracuse provided the weather is good for Sunday's game and he dominates on the mound.
The Nationals have not confirmed that Strasburg, the No.1 overall pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, will be promoted after his Sunday start. Strasburg will pitch five innings or throw 85 pitches for Double-A Harrisburg.
Once the promotion is announced, Strasburg could pitch against Triple-A Gwinnett late next week.
General manager Mike Rizzo was not available for comment, but said Wednesday that Strasburg will eventually go to Triple-A Syracuse. Strasburg has been dominant for Harrisburg, allowing one run in 17 1/3 innings and striking out 23.
"As he progresses, he is going to go to Syracuse and is going to pitch there until we deem he is ready to go to the next level," Rizzo said. "It's reasonable to assume he is going to be in Syracuse sometime soon.
"He is doing everything we thought he would do and more. He seems to get better and better and stronger and stronger each start."