We all hope that this saga around both Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross will be over and instead we will be talking about pitch counts and performance. We are one step closer to that day.

According to MASN Sport's Mark Zuckerman reports that [Twitter link] "Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross are scheduled to start facing live hitters Wednesday in West Palm Beach, per Davey Martinez."

Both players threw bullpen sessions last week, with Strasburg tossing 37 pitches and Ross tossing 30. Ross is currently on the 60-day injured list and he isn't eligible to return until early June. Strasburg, meanwhile, could potentially make his season debut at some point later this month if he avoids setbacks.

Strasburg made two starts for the Nationals in 2021 before landing on the injured list on April 18 with right shoulder inflammation. Strasburg was activated and made three more starts before returning to the IL on June 2 with a neck strain. On July 27, it was announced that Strasburg would undergo surgery to alleviate neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, ending his 2021 season. In his 5 starts, Strasburg posted a 1–2 record and 4.57 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 21+2⁄3 innings of work.

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