According to GM Mike Rizzo (via Bill Ladson of MLB.com), Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg will make his debut on June 8 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Why did the Nationals wait until June 8 to call Strasburg up even though he was mowing them down in the Minor Leagues?  Service Time.

In certain cases players could become arbitration eligible if they qualify as a Super Two, usually those top tier players that have at least two years and 140 days of Major League service. Strasburg likely will be a Super Two by 2012 and when he’s arbitration-eligible in 2013 he’ll be compared to top tier first-time eligible pitchers such as Felix Hernandez or Justin Verlander. Strasburg’s salary could be in the $4.5 million range in 2013 when compared to the Heranandez’s or Verlander’s.

Depending on Strasburg’s ability to stay in the Major Leagues and not being sent back down, he can become eligible for free agency in the 2016-2017 off season.