Stephen Strasburg continued his progression back Monday to what the Washington Nationals are hoping will be a postseason return, throwing his second bullpen session in four days. He took the mound before an 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers as Washington claimed a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five National League Division Series.
According to The Washington Post, the right-hander threw 20 to 30 pitches before Monday's Game 3 in L.A.
Strasburg threw a bullpen hours before Game 1 on Friday -- his first time on a mound since he hurt his right elbow a month ago. He was ruled out for the NLDS, but the Nationals hope he could return if the team advances.
Strasburg has been on the disabled list since Sept. 7 because of a strained flexor mass in his right arm.
This is not the first time he has missed playoff action. In 2012, when the Nationals won their first division title, they played the postseason without Strasburg, whom the team shut down in early September due to concerns about his health in the wake of his 2010 Tommy John surgery.
The top overall pick in 2009, Strasburg participated in Washington's second postseason appearance in 2014. He took the loss in Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants.
This season, Strasburg was 15-4 with a 3.60 ERA. He was named an All-Star for the second time, following a first half in which he went 12-0 with a 2.62 ERA.
Information from ESPN's Eddie Matz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.