Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has pitched eight video games over the past three seasons. Annually has ended with Strasburg on the shelf with an harm. His newest harm has the 34-year-old uncertain when or if he’ll pitch within the MLB once more.
Strasburg sat down with the Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty and opened up about his future’s uncertainty.
“I understand the clock is ticking,” Strasburg admitted to Dougherty. “It’s been virtually three years since I’ve been capable of pitch competitively, and it’s not like I’m getting youthful.”
Strasburg was shut down after two begins in 2020 attributable to a nerve injury in his pitching hand. The next yr, he made 5 begins earlier than the Nationals shut him down once more. He underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgical procedure.
This season, Strasburg made one begin and hasn’t pitched once more with a stress reaction in his ribs related to final yr’s surgical procedure.
Strasburg advised Dougherty he has been restricted in workout routines however has seen some enchancment in how he’s felt.
“I really feel just like the power will not be fairly there, and I’m not likely positive what the long run holds,” Strasburg mentioned.
Strasburg final performed a complete season in 2019, when he performed an integral half within the Nats successful their first World Sequence title. He had an NL-best 18 wins. The 209 innings he pitches had been his most because the 2014 season.
Strasburg continued his excellence within the postseason as he was named the World Sequence MVP.
His efficiency landed him a seven-year, $245 million contract from the Nationals. Sadly, he hasn’t been capable of proceed his sturdy play and stay as much as the brand new deal.
Strasburg has battled accidents since being drafted first general in 2009 by the Nationals. He underwent Tommy John surgical procedure early in his profession that led to his notorious shutdown in 2012 regardless of being wholesome and the Nationals reaching the postseason that yr.
“I really feel like each time I’ve had an harm, I felt like I used to be going to be the very best there’s coming again,” Strasburg mentioned. “That is the one which’s nonetheless positively an enormous query mark.”
Because the accidents proceed to mount, it has develop into evident that his peak was in 2019. Now, he’s nearer to the top along with his greatest years behind him.
