Stephen Strasburg’s Promotion Is Officially Official

The press release:

NATIONALS RECALL STEPHEN STRASBURG FROM SYRACUSE, REINSTATE IVAN RODRIGUEZ FROM DL & DESIGNATE JAMIE BURKE FOR ASSIGNMENT

The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League, recalled from rehab and reinstated catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the 15-Day Disabled List and designated catcher Jamie Burke for assignment. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

The first-overall selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, Strasburg went 7-2 with a 1.30 ERA in 11 starts with Syracuse and Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. The 21-year-old posted a .158 batting average against and allowed just one home run in 55.1 innings en route to a 5.0/1 (65 K/13 BB) strikeout-to-walk ratio and 10.57 strikeouts per 9.0 innings.

Among all minor-league pitchers, Strasburg ranks near the top of the leader board in most major statistical categories, including: batting average against (second), WHIP (0.80, third), ERA (fourth) and wins (tied for seventh).

Strasburg went 4-1 with a 1.08 ERA in six starts with Syracuse. He won his last outing on Thursday at Buffalo, allowing just three hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 5.0 innings of shutout ball.

In five starts with Harrisburg, Strasburg went 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA and posted 27 strikeouts in 22.0 innings. At the end of his stint with the Senators, he led all Eastern League pitchers in strikeouts.

Rodriguez, 38, missed the last 14 contests with a lower back strain. He is hitting .325 with nine doubles, one triple, one home run and 16 RBI in 35 games this season.

Burke, 38, had his contract selected on Saturday and appeared in one game with Washington.