It was reported on Tuesday afternoon that super prospect Stephen Strasburg would be recalled to the major league club in one week’s time. Strasburg pitched to a sub-3.00 ERA and struck out batters in grand fashion before sustaining his season-ending injury. He owns a bloated 5.02 ERA in five appearances during his minor league rehab work while striking out 25 batters in 14 1/3 innings pitched.

Strasburg is coming back to Washington, but he’s not coming alone.

Tom Milone, a 2008 draft pick and control specialist, has won 12 games with a 3.22 ERA and has walked 16 batters in 148 1/3 IP.

He’ll be interesting to watch, but there’s another guy rolling up with them. Brad Peacock, who I featured in my preseason prospect piece on FOXSports.com, has positively dominated minor league batters this season. Peacock earned a record of 15-3 between Double-A and Triple-A with a 2.39 ERA. He fanned 10.87 batters per nine innings.

Add this trio to Jordan Zimmermann and the Nats’ rotation looks mighty intriguing for 2012.

As for the pennant chase, I’m spying a gain of a point or two in the fantasy realm. Keep working it!

You know the song. The image of Aretha Franklin belting out her classic hit likely filled your brain.

Everybody wants respect … to feel that their contribution will be appreciated, supported and, as appropriate, rewarded.

Everyone wants respect. Not everyone has the ability to make a brief statement and walk away from their job.

That’s precisely what Jim Riggleman did on Thursday following a 1-0 win over the Mariners, the team’s 11th win in its past 12 games. The win moved the Nationals to a record of 38-37. That’s right. Riggleman had gotten the team above .500 despite the absence of Stephen Strasburg and the early-season injury to Ryan Zimmerman.

Riggleman was working in the second year of a two-year contract. He wanted his option for 2012 to be picked up and to have an opportunity to manage what the Nationals are set to become down the line. The prospects are coming, and fast. We know of Strasburg and Bryce Harper. Pitcher Brad Peacock has dominated Class-AA.

In an age of 10% unemployment, many people probably threw up their hands and wondered what he was thinking. Riggleman owned a career .445 winning percentage across four teams, so the climb to .500 doesn’t quite seem like the proper jump-off point.

Did he pull a Nicholson and wonder, “Maybe this is as good as it gets?” Seriously, the job is only half-done. I admire him for sticking to his guns and walking away. He set a date, GM Mike Rizzo didn’t flinch and Riggleman walked. It’s a bizarre set of circumstances, to be sure.

Riggleman is the second manager to resign in the past week. Edwin Rodriguez resigned on Sunday in the midst of the Marlins’ free-fall. Eighty-year old Jack McKeon returned to the Florida bench.

I can’t help but think of the old standard, “You’ll never work in this town again.” The old adage rings true here. Riggleman’s managerial career is probably at its end.

I would have liked to see Riggleman attempt to lead this underdog through the stretch run. The Nationals are a .500 team. The Pirates are a .500 team. The Indians, though fading, are still above .500.

At the same time, I do like that his competitive spirit prompted the clash with Washington management. Managerial stand-offs just might be handled a tad differently going forward.

That’s right. I said it. I’ve watched a couple of his minor league starts. I’ve witnessed him obliterate minor league hitters. I’m not saying that he’s devoid of talent. In fact, I found myself inching closer to the edge of my seat with each pitch. I’m just tired of the split screens and just wish that we’d pause for a moment and let the kid pitch. Let him get that first pitch across or in the batter’s ear in front of the national media and a salivating fantasy baseball audience.

Strasburg may eventually punch out enough hitters and win enough games to warrant those Cooperstown comparisons. I just want to follow along the path without those grandiose expectations that few can reach.

For the Pirates, it’s like a World Series moment and that coveted role of “spoiler.”

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On the undercard in this “Prospect Tuesday” is the debut of Mike Stanton of the Nationals. I know. You’re envisioning a 30-something middle reliever when you hear that name. You’ll think differently when you hear the crack of the bat.

Stanton ripped 21 minor league home runs, demonstrated a strong batting eye and is mature beyond his 20 years. However, he’s never taken an at-bat above Double-A. It’s possible that he comes up and starts parking balls into the outfield like Jason Heyward (currently slumping) has in Atlanta. Stanton will hit his share of extra-base hits and could be considered for a fifth outfield slot in roto leagues. Just be ready for the hard times when hits don’t come as easily.

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This is a unique day in recent baseball history. We have two of the most heralded prospects in the game arriving to the majors on the night. Everyone except those preoccupied with Game 3 of the NBA Finals will be watching.

Break out the thesauruses for some new adjectives. The new world order begins tonight.

Fantasy owners are clamoring to the waiver wire in the hope that the next big thing will be wearing a Nationals cap.

I remember the episode of The Simpsons where billboards, banners and commercials announced that “Gabbo Is Coming.” Who? What? Where?

Well, it ended up being a smart-alleck ventriloquist’s dummy that temporarily displaced Krusty in the hearts of Springfield’s children.

The notes on Stephen Strasburg and the dazzling video catalog of his minor league starts seem to indicate that Strasburg will be in the minds and hearts of fans and fantasy owners for a long, long time. Sorry, Gabbo.

By all accounts, Strasburg will make his much-anticipated major league debut on June 4 against the Reds. This would allow Strasburg to pitch in line with the normal rotation and schedule without an extended period of down time.

My marketing and promotion-loving self thinks that it needs to be pushed back a couple days to put Strasburg on the hill that following Tuesday against the Pirates. But, the baseball timeline has to be held intact. Strasburg has been brought along slowly this season, paced for the summer call-up. There’s no need to shuffle up the routine and make him change things now.

I get it. But the PT Barnum in me is thinking about Tuesday’s gate with Pittsburgh in town. On a Friday night, you’ll still get a decent crowd and some walk-ups if the weather is sound. On Tuesday nights against Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones … not so much.

With that said, I know what will be on my Roku player next Friday night. The Nationals have surprised thus far. Roy Oswalt is being mentioned as a possible trade deadline acquisition. Strasburg is the main event.

I often yell “DBTH!” — Don’t Believe The Hype – when a player in any sport is so highly touted. In this case, I’d be shocked to see him falter.

Climb aboard the Strasburg Express.