Stephen Strasburg will return to start Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers after skipping his last scheduled appearance with an upper back strain.

"If he's encouraged, I'm encouraged," Dusty Baker said. "Welcome back. He's been working hard with our training staff to get ready for his start. I'm sure he wouldn't have gone out there if he wasn't ready. He says he's ready, then we'll welcome him."

Strasburg was scratched from an anticipated showdown against the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw on Monday.