WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — That Stephen Strasburg is at spring training with the Washington Nationals, ready from the get-go after missing the end of last season, does not necessarily excite him.

“I don’t think that’s been the issue in past years. Minus my Tommy John year, I’ve always been here Day One,” Strasburg said. “Question is, I guess, Day 162 – or whatever it is with those off days.”

Stephen Strasburg's 2016 season came to an early end because of an injury. It was the second time in his career he has missed the chance to pitch in the postseason for the Washington Nationals. Associated Press/David J. Phillip

The right-hander’s 2016 came to an early end because of an injury, the second time in his career that he has not participated in a Nationals postseason. Now Strasburg wants to be around come October, and is hoping a change in his offseason fitness regimen – running longer distances during the offseason – will help him make it through all of next season without a problem.

“It’s kind of corny, but they say the season’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” said Strasburg, who threw all of his pitches in a 10-minute bullpen session on Thursday, the first workout day for Nationals pitchers and catchers.

He said he ran 6-7 miles every Sunday, and about 3-4 on Wednesday at home in California, sometimes running on the sand, sometimes on a road that ran along the beach.

“For a guy my size, it takes three or four days to recover from it,” the 6-foot-4 pitcher said. “But I think as long as I was able to do it, but then once I started to get more into throwing every day, I tapered it down, so I did a little bit less – more sprint-type cardio, but on a daily basis.”

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 amateur draft had Tommy John surgery in August 2011, then was shut down by the Nationals late in 2012 to protect his repaired elbow. Last season, he started 13-0 with a 2.51 ERA, but went on the DL with elbow soreness in August after allowing 19 earned runs in 112/3 innings over three outings. He left his first start back in the third inning and did not pitch again.

COMMISSIONER ROB Manfred says he can’t offer a prediction on how likely it is that baseball will be altering the strike zone this season.

Manfred discussed that and other potential rule changes Thursday at the Tigers’ spring training complex, which was hosting a Grapefruit League media day. Manfred says there are ongoing discussions with the players’ union, and it’s not clear what changes might be made for 2017.

“It’s been a long winter for both sides on labor,” Manfred said, “and fatigue can actually play a role in how many agreements you can reach, but at this point I just don’t feel comfortable making a prediction.”

MLB has studied whether to lift the lower edge of the strike zone from just beneath the kneecap to the top of the kneecap. Any change for 2017 would require an agreement with the players’ association.

Manfred has pushed for faster games since he became commissioner two years ago, although he said raising the bottom of the strike zone isn’t really a pace-of-play issue.

“We’re not suggesting that we change the strike zone to shorten the game. We’re suggesting that we change the strike zone to get more action in the game,” Manfred said.

When it comes to the pace of play, Manfred sought to clarify that it’s not the length of a game that’s the issue.

“Pace of game is different than time of game. Pace relates to dead time caused by batters stepping out, pitchers not working quickly, trips to the mound,” he said. “We’ve never set a goal in terms of time of game. What we want is a well-paced game.”

RANGERS: Third baseman Adrian Beltre reported to spring training with a strained left calf muscle that will sideline him about three weeks and keep him out of the opening round of the World Baseball Classic.

DODGERS: First baseman Adrian Gonzalez is taking a two-week break from hitting to heal tendinitis in his right elbow. Gonzalez said he still hopes to play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic next month.

GIANTS: Versatile infielder Aaron Hill agreed to a minor league contract and will receive a $2 million, one-year deal if he is added to the 40-man roster.

ORIOLES: Reliever Brad Brach became the first player to beat Baltimore in salary arbitration in 22 years. He was awarded $3.05 million instead of the team’s offer of $2,525,000.

RAYS: Reliever Tommy Hunter agreed to a minor league contract and will have an opportunity to earn a job in a revamped bullpen.

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