Strasburg to move to Triple-A Syracuse

Given his performance in April, Stephen Strasburg's promotion to the next level isn't likely to come as a surprise to anybody who follows baseball.

Assuming all goes well, Strasburg will be sent to Triple-A Syracuse after his start for the Harrisburg Senators against the Altoona Curve at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, MLB.com reported.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 Draft went 3-0 with a 0.52 ERA on the month. He's collected 23 strikeouts over 17 1/3 innings, and he hasn't given up an earned run since his first professional start. Over his last two outings, he's allowed one hit and one walk over 10 innings. Considering these numbers, a move from the Double-A Eastern League was only a matter of how soon.

Strasburg will reportedly throw 85 pitches or five innings on Sunday and may make a start late next week against the International League's Gwinnett Braves.

"I've learned a lot, this team's got a great coaching staff," Strasburg said after his previous start for Harrisburg, admitting, "I'll be very excited" when a move up the ladder comes.

The promotion comes after the Nationals moved closer Drew Storen -- another 2009 first-rounder -- from Harrisburg to Syracuse on Thursday.

"We have goals we want to accomplish. We are certainly preparing him for the Major Leagues," Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said of Storen's promotion.