JUPITER, Fla. -- Stephen Strasburg arrived to Spring Training happy with his mechanics, an area where he struggled to keep consistent during his up-and-down 2018. Fine-tuning those mechanics will be his focus during his Grapefruit League outings -- the first of which came in the Nationals' 5-4 victory Friday afternoon over the Marlins -- much more than whether he regains the fastball velocity that dipped toward the end of last season.

In two scoreless innings Friday, Strasburg struck out a pair and gave up just one hit in his first tuneup of the spring. He threw 26 pitches, and his fastball velocity hovered between 92-94 mph, although Strasburg does not typically dial up his velocity so early during the exhibition season.

"He looked really, really good," manager Dave Martinez said. "Commands the strike zone, he was using all his pitches, stayed down. His ball was cutting and sinking pretty good. He did well, could have went out for the third inning, but I thought for his first outing, keep him right there."

Strasburg's spring debut came a start behind the rest of the Nats' rotation as his fellow aces -- Max Scherzer has already started twice and Patrick Corbin will make his second start on Saturday -- because Strasburg prefers to get an extra bullpen and live batting practice session complete before he faces opposing hitters.

"I've found over the years that you get out here and get excited and then just start throwing," Strasburg said. "And it just takes a few years to realize that once you get into the regular season, you want to have a good feel for your mechanics rather than just pure arm strength."

Zimmerman could debut Saturday
Now that Strasburg has pitched, Ryan Zimmerman is the last of the Nats regulars who has yet to appear in Grapefruit League play. And he could be making his much anticipated debut as soon as Saturday afternoon against the Twins.

After battling an illness the past few days, Zimmerman felt much better on Friday and wanted to be in the lineup, according Martinez, who erred on the side of caution.

"I want to make sure he's 100 percent," Martinez said. "I don't want him going out there feeling dehydrated. I know he hasn't been eating very well the past couple days."

Zimmerman's absence has been notable because of the scrutiny surrounding his playing time in Spring Training. A year ago, he appeared in just one Grapefruit League game, working on the backfields and in Minor League games each day in an attempt to preserve his body. Martinez entered this year's camp expecting Zimmerman to play more often, and the veteran agreed.

Initially, Zimmerman was penciled in to make his debut Wednesday before he came down with an illness that has been spreading around the Nationals clubhouse. Both Yan Gomes and Spencer Kieboom were also sent home recently with the bug.

Worth noting
• Justin Miller has a sore back and has not appeared in a Grapefruit League game. Martinez was hopeful Miller would return to the mound soon, potentially for Saturday's game.

• Adrian Sanchez was sent home early Friday after a visit with the team doctor for a root canal.

• Pedro Severino was still sore Friday after fouling a ball off his left foot this week. He had been 3-for-8 at the plate in three games this spring as he attempts to work his way back up the depth chart at catcher.

Up next
Zimmerman is expected to make his debut once again, and Corbin will be on the mound when the Nationals host the Twins at 1:05 p.m. ET Saturday at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.