Nationals star right-hander Stephen Strasburg took another step toward a return to the rotation before the team's loss to the Brewers on Friday night.

Strasburg, on the DL since May 30, threw for the second time in two weeks. He was examined June 1 by team doctors in Washington and diagnosed with a strained left trapezius, an upper back muscle where the arm meets the neck.

The 26-year-old has a 3-5 record and a 6.55 ERA in 10 starts this season, reported no issues after a session that spanned 60 pitches, Nationals manager Matt Williams said