mlb roundup Tuesday’s notes

Nationals: Stephen Strasburg is ready for a healthy season. The hype? He’ll gladly cede that to someone else. “I think my family and friends enjoyed it more than I did,” Strasburg said at his locker after a two-hour workout. “I was just so thankful to have the opportunity to accomplish my dream of pitching in the big leagues. I accomplished that. Now, I’ve got to move on to the next step: staying here and being successful.” The 23-year-old Strasburg is fully recovered from elbow surgery that kept him out part of 2010 and most of last season. Still, he’s under some limitations. Washington won’t let its national treasure pitch more than about 160 innings this season, trying to ensure he doesn’t re-injure himself. Also, they’ve assembled a much deeper rotation around him, acquiring Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson to go with Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, John Lannan and Chien-Ming Wang. Shortstop Ian Desmond thinks Strasburg will be under much less pressure on a team that has so much pitching depth. But make no mistake, the Nationals are counting on Strasburg to lead their rotation for the next decade or so.

Marlins: A less-than-arduous winter routine has helped make Mark Buehrle one of baseball’s most durable and successful pitchers, which is why the Miami Marlins gave him a $58 million, four-year contract this offseason. He threw only once before arriving for spring training, to the astonishment of his new teammates. But during the season, Buehrle throws more than anyone else. Since his first full season in 2001, the left-hander leads the majors in games started and innings pitched. He has topped 200 innings each of the past 11 seasons, and that’s his goal this year. The four-time All-Star ranks fourth in victories since 2001 with 157, all with the Chicago White Sox. He went 13-9 with a 3.59 ERA last season.

Braves: Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman is expected to miss at least a week after injuring his right knee. Freeman’s kneecap popped out of place Tuesday attempting to field a low throw during an infield drill. The team says the knee is stable and he had a similar injury in the minors two years ago. Freeman missed about a week the last time. The Braves already are dealing with pitcher Tommy Hanson sustaining a concussion in a wreck and utility infielder Jack Wilson being out up to six weeks with a strained calf muscle. Also, pitcher Tim Hudson will probably miss the first month of the season recovering from back surgery. Freeman was runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year after hitting .282 with 21 homers and 76 RBIs.

Phillies: Mike Schmidt changed his stance, tinkered with his mechanics and did whatever he could to improve as a hitter during his Hall of Fame career with the Philadelphia Phillies. So he’s the ideal person for the current Phillies to discuss their batting strategies with, especially since management has stressed to players they need to alter their approach at the plate. Schmidt is in camp for his annual role as a special hitting instructor, and he’s planning to spend a little more time here this spring. “This year might be a little more one-on-one with guys, just chatting more specifically about in-game hitting strategy,” Schmidt said. “There will be times when I chat with guys about mechanics, but for the most part, the additions I’m going to offer this year are in-game strategies like, ‘Let’s be more aggressive.’ “

Associated Press