Nationals' Strasburg promoted to Triple A

WASHINGTON, May 4 (UPI) -- The Washington Nationals have promoted prized prospect Stephen Strasburg to Triple-A Syracuse of the International League, the team said Tuesday.

The 21-year-old right-handed pitcher -- taken first overall by the Nationals in last year's amateur draft -- was sent to Syracuse from Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League after he posted a 3-1 record with a 1.64 ERA there.

The Nationals said Strasburg will play his first Triple-A game Friday when the Chiefs host the Gwinnett Braves at Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse, N.Y.