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Morning Jolt: August 2, 2010

Monday, August 2

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Washington optimistic about Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg, now aimed for a bullpen session Tuesday and a simulated game Thursday, could to the Nationals on an upcoming homestand that opens Aug. 10. Strasburg will throw the simulated game "pretty close to maximum effort," Manager Jim Riggleman said. ... Strasburg, Riggleman said, will not require a rehab start so long as his shoulder feels right after the simulated game and another bullpen session. "He would still be built up enough to continue on and pitch," Riggleman said. While Strasburg would be on schedule to potentially return for the next homestand, that is an "optimistic" plan, Riggleman said. "We're not going to hold ourselves or hold him to that. It's all about how his shoulder responds." (The Washington Post)Comment

Paul gaining bad reputation in NBA?

The NBA's reminder to its franchises of tampering guidelines may make for an intriguing subplot in Chris Paul's career and relationship with LeBron James. "I have a friend in the NBA who stays close with him (Paul)," said veteran sportswriter Sam Smith, who used to cover the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan for the Chicago Tribune. "He said Paul has been telling him that he didn't come up with any list or push to be traded. But part of my sense is that these people have been speaking for Paul, and they are doing a lot of leaking. And Chris has kind of been influenced by these guys, allowing them to kind of walk all over him and kind of confused about what's going on. He's really hurting himself. I've talked to a couple of GMs who said he's really suffered a blow personally." (The Times Picayune)Comment

Suh looking for more than Stafford?

According to Eugene Parker, who along with Roosevelt Barnes has some experience with holdouts, Ndamukong Suh is not looking for more guaranteed money than Sam Bradford, but he may want more than Drew Stafford. If Suh's guaranteed money fell exactly in the middle of Bradford and [Gerald] McCoy's, it would be $42.5 million. That would be more than what the Lions paid [Drew] Stafford, and, according to a person familiar with the negotiations, the team is concerned about paying Suh more than their franchise quarterback. ... The Lions' last lengthy holdout was cornerback Bryant Westbrook, who held out 27 days in 1997. Parker and Barnes were Westbrook's agents. (Detroit Free Press)Comment

Must-See Photo

Travis Pastrana competes for a gold medal in the Moto X Speed & Style Final during X Games 16 in Los Angeles (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images).

Must-See Video

Can you answer this Final Jeopardy question?

Game To Watch

Twins at Rays, 7:10 p.m. ET

  1. Minnesota Twins
  2. Los Angeles Angels

SI Vault: More Eric Davis

This Day in Sports

  • 1959 -- San Francisco Giants 1B Willie McCovey hits the first of his 521 career home runs.
  • 1979 -- At the age of 32, Thurman Munson is killed when the Cessna Citation I/SP jet he is learning to fly clips a tree and crashes 1,000 feet short of the runway at Canton-Akron Airport.
  • 1989 -- Eric Davis becomes the seventh and earliest player to join the 30-30 club when he hits a walk-off home run leading of the bottom of the eleventh off Jeff Robinson in the Reds' 5-4 victory over the Giants at Riverfront Stadium.