WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A sizable group of players, coaches and fans kept their eyes glued to the mound on Tuesday at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. The draw: Stephen Strasburg throwing his first live batting practice session since undergoing season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in late July.

“He brings a crowd,” manager Dave Martinez said.

In the latest step of his throwing program, the veteran right-hander tossed 25 pitches to Victor Robles, Lane Thomas, Juan Soto and Josh Bell with Riley Adams behind the plate. Fellow pitchers Patrick Corbin, Joe Ross and Josh Rogers were among the onlookers.

“It was definitely exciting,” Strasburg said. “You can throw bullpens all you want, but as soon as you get a hitter in there, competitive juices start to flow and that's kind of one thing I've been lacking for a bit."

After putting in an offseason of indoor work, Martinez noted Strasburg’s fluidity, while Adams noted the effectiveness of his arsenal, including a “pretty nasty” changeup.

“I was pleased with it,” Strasburg said. “The command was good. That’s all I was really looking for.”

The past two seasons for Strasburg have been hindered by injuries. He was limited to 21 2/3 innings over five starts in 2021, one year after he pitched just five frames across two starts before requiring carpal tunnel surgery in his right hand. The 33-year-old has been working toward a return to his ‘19 championship production, in which he led the National League in wins (18-6) before going 5-0 in the postseason and being named World Series MVP.

Health is at the forefront of that objective. That’s why Strasburg and the Nationals are taking a cautious approach during camp -- which was condensed because of the lockout -- before the start of the regular season on April 7. While a timetable for Strasburg’s return to Major League action is yet to be determined, he would like to still follow his six-week Spring Training program.

“I think of all years to try and be aggressive, I don’t know if that’s necessarily the right year, the right time to do it,” Strasburg said. “I’m at this point in my career where last thing I want is to try and speed up the process here just to pitch a couple weeks earlier.”

Rather than projecting Strasburg’s future availability, the Nationals are focusing on each day of work in camp. Following Tuesday’s session, Strasburg is slated to have two days off, then throw a two-inning up-down and toss another live batting practice after that.

“I’m not putting anything on him right now. It’s going to be a process, and we’ll see where we end up,” Martinez said. “The biggest thing for us, as you know, is to keep him on the mound and keep him healthy. We’re going to do whatever it takes to do that.”

Strasburg’s long-term health also is magnified because he isn’t the Nationals’ only starting pitcher in question for Opening Day. Ross suffered a minor setback in his return from a season-ending partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and required a minor scope procedure to remove a bone spur on March 7. He is expected to return in six to eight weeks.

“I think over the years, when I’ve been able to be healthy and get out there consistently, that’s when I feel the best and that’s when I can help this team the best,” Strasburg said. “I know it’s a long season, and I know that a lot of guys here, that everybody’s going to have to pick up the slack. So I’m just trying to do everything I can to be in the best position when it is time for them to give me the ball.”