First, it was June 4. Then it was “tentatively” scheduled for the series against Pittsburgh on June 8 through 10, with several reporters insisting that it would be the eighth. It’s almost as mind-boggling as the idea of paying over $16,000 for a baseball card.

The fact of the matter: regardless of what’s floating out there in the baseball media, absolutely no one knows for certain when Stephen Strasburg will pitch his first game in a Nationals uniform. And until the Nationals make an official announcement, ticket-buyers must tread with caution.

General manager Mike Rizzo was none too pleased that the media had taken upon itself to make sweeping proclamations about when the phenom would be making his first appearance.

“That hasn’t been decided yet, although you did announce that he’s pitching on the 4th,” Rizzo said. “No, that hasn’t been determined yet. There are factors that will be involved when we announce it. And even when we announce it, it’s not going to be settled on until after a couple days after he starts his last start in Triple A.”