Strasburg: Ready to pitch 200 innings

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VIERA, Fla., Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg says he's ready to play a full season in 2013 after his innings were limited by the team last season.

The Nationals' 24-year-old ace, speaking to reporters at the Nationals' spring training home in Viera, Fla., said he's set to pitch 200 or more innings in the upcoming season.

Strasburg was shut down late last season after throwing 159 1/3 innings while racking up a 15-6 record with a 3.16 ERA and 197 strikeouts.

He missed the National League East champions' first post-season appearance after being taken out as a precaution following his recovery from 2010 elbow reconstruction surgery.

"It's going to be a challenge. It's going to be a test, and I think I'm ready for it," Strasburg told MLB.com. "I trained really hard this off-season.

"Hopefully, I'll answer the bell, throw 200-plus innings and be the guy in the rotation that can be reliable -- go six, seven, eight, hopefully nine innings every time out this year.

"I'm excited to get into the season as far as having a target on our backs now. It should be a good test for all of us."