Stephen Strasburg Officially Retires From Baseball
Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg officially retired from baseball on Saturday. He signed a seven-year, $245 million contract extension in December 2019; while some of the money will be deferred, the 35-year-old will receive $100 million over the next three years. He struggled to come back from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he underwent in July 2021. Strasburg was limited to 31 1/3 innings from 2020-2022. The former No. 1 overall pick finishes his career with a 113-62 record, 3.24 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 1,723 strikeouts (10.5 K's per inning) across 1,470 innings. Strasburg is a three-time All-Star who helped the Nationals win their only championship in 2019 and was named the World Series MVP.
Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is planning to retire as he was unable to avoid complications related to thoracic outlet syndrome that has largely kept him off the mound in recent seasons. The 35-year-old has made just eight starts since 2020, the season that followed a World Series championship and World Series MVP honors. Strasburg tossed 34 1/3 innings of eight-run ball in the 2019 postseason, including 14 1/3 innings of four-run ball with 14 strikeouts against three walks in the fall classic. All told, the 2009 first-overall pick posted a 3.24 ERA and 28.9% K% across 247 big-league appearances, all of which were starts. Needless to say, the baseball world has been robbed of several more seasons of one of the more electric pitchers of this era. Strasburg is planning to make an official announcement on Sept. 9 at Nationals Park.
Stephen Strasburg Shut Down With Severe Nerve Damage
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (ribs, shoulder) has been completely shut down from any rehab activities for more than a month, according to three people familiar with the situation, and there is increasing doubt that he'll ever pitch again. The 34-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in a game since last June, when he was trying to return from surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. Three people have described his complications as "severe nerve damage." His current plan is to rest and see if he can manage the nerve issues enough to make another attempt at pitching, but it doesn't look promising. Strasburg still has three seasons left on his seven-year, $245 million deal he signed in December of 2019. It's a disappointing situation for everyone involved, and Strasburg obviously shouldn't be rostered in fantasy formats at this point.
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (ribs, shoulder) began throwing off a mound a few weeks ago in D.C. and made it through his first throwing session with no issues, but he then reported the return of his nerve issue following his second session. Manger Dave Martinez said there's no timetable for Strasburg at this time. The 34-year-old oft-injured right-hander isn't with the rest of the team at spring training in Florida and is currently rehabbing in D.C. Strasburg had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in July of 2021 and was only able to make one start last year before being shut down again. More nerve-related issues isn't good, and it's becoming a question of whether his career will be able to continue. Strasburg has made only eight starts (31 1/3 innings) in the last three years. He's probably not going to be ready by Opening Day.
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (ribs, shoulder) is throwing near his home in D.C., but his pitching prognosis remains unclear after thoracic outlet surgery. Strasburg had surgery in July of 2021 but made only one start last season before being shut down again. With just eight total starts over the last three seasons due to injuries, it's understandable if fantasy managers want nothing to do with the 34-year-old right-hander in 2023. We'll keep a close eye on his progress this spring, but it's a good bet that he won't be ready for the start of the regular season. You're probably better off taking a flier on a less injury-prone pitcher at the end of fantasy drafts this spring.
Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo admitted that starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg's (ribs) status heading into the 2023 season is a "mystery." Strasburg dealt with thoracic outlet syndrome last summer and got a late start in 2022 as a result, but he ended up making just one start this year before being diagnosed with a stress reaction of his ribs. The oft-injured 34-year-old has made just eight starts in the last three years combined since winning a career-high 18 games for the Nats back in 2019. With his status up in the air for next season, he obviously won't be very attractive from a fantasy standpoint as managers look to fill their starting rotations next spring.
Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said on Thursday that starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (ribs) "feels a little bit better," but he isn't going to throw anytime soon. The Nationals aren't ruling out a return for Strasburg this year, but it seems unlikely. "If you do the math for him to come back, he's gonna need a while," Martinez said. Strasburg went on the injured list back on June 13 and only made one start before going back on the shelf, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out five in 4 2/3 innings against the Miami Marlins on June 9. The 34-year-old two-time All-Star will look to strengthen his shoulder for the 2023 season, but at this point in his career, it's hard to like the oft-injured right-hander.
Stephen Strasburg Not Expected To Pitch Again In 2022
Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg (ribs) is not expected to return in 2022, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. While he won't need to undergo thoracic outlet surgery once again, he is dealing with a nerve issue that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the year. Strasburg was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list due to a stress reaction in his ribs. The 33-year-old just can't catch a break these days. His 2022 season comes to an end after just one start in which he allowed seven earned runs over 4 2/3 innings.
To make room for the return of Washington Nationals right-hander Anibal Sanchez from the 60-day injured list on Thursday, the Nationals moved starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (ribs) to the 60-day injured list, according to president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo. Strasburg landed on the 15-day injured list on June 14 due to a stress reaction in his ribs, and he'll now be out until at least the middle of August. With Washington sitting in dead-last in the National League East, it makes no sense for them to rush the oft-injured 33-year-old back. Strasburg missed the first two months of the season while recovering from thoracic outlet surgery, and he surrendered seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in his only start on June 9 before going back on the shelf. It wouldn't be a surprise if we didn't see Strasburg back with the Nats again in 2022.
Stephen Strasburg Placed On Injured List With Rib Injury
The Washington Nationals placed starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (ribs) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. He has been diagnosed with a stress reaction of his ribs. Strasburg tossed a bullpen session on Saturday and had reportedly "felt weird" after the session. We weren't privy to much information at the time, but we have some clarity on the issue now. Strasburg only managed to make one start after being activated from the injured list last week. He was hit hard in his only outing, pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing eight hits, two walks and seven earned runs.
