Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Likely done for 2022
Rotowire
Strasburg (ribs) isn't expected to return to action in 2022 after the Nationals transferred him to the 60-day injured list last week, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Strasburg is eligible to come off the IL in mid-August, but the Nationals -- who headed into the All-Star break with an MLB-worst 31-63 record -- don't seem to have much motivation to rush him back. Though Heyman relays that Strasburg won't require another thoracic syndrome surgery for an injury that is being classified as a stress reaction of the ribs, the issue is considered nerve-related, so the non-contending Nationals are likely to take precaution with the veteran right-hander. Since re-signing on a seven-year, $245 million contract after helping lead Washington to its first World Series title in 2019, Strasburg has made only eight starts for the club.
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Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Shifts to 60-day IL
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The Nationals transferred Strasburg (ribs) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Washington had been vague regarding a possible return timeline for Strasburg since he was deactivated June 14 due to to a stress reaction of his ribs, but the move to the 60-day IL ensures that he'll be out of commission until at least mid-August. The Nationals sit at 30 games under .500 entering Thursday's game against Atlanta, so the organization will have little incentive to rush Strasburg back to the mound, especially after he already missed the first two months of the season while recovering from last July's thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. Anibal Sanchez (neck) was activated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move and will step into the rotation Thursday for his season debut.
Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Dealing with rib injury
Rotowire
Strasburg, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, is dealing with a stress reaction of the ribs, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Strasburg experience renewed discomfort following his between-starts bullpen session last week and now we have an official diagnosis. Thoracic outlet syndrome is notoriously tough to make a full recovery from, and Strasburg could end up being a cautionary tale. He is without a timetable to return.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Strasburg (neck) won't make his next scheduled start Tuesday against Atlanta and will be placed on the 15-day injured list after experiencing renewed discomfort following his between-starts bullpen session, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.
Strasburg will undergo an MRI later Monday as the Nationals look to determine the nature and extent of his setback, but his placement on the IL is most likely linked to his recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome, which kept him sidelined for the first two months of the campaign. After a productive three-start rehab assignment, Strasburg returned to make his season debut in Miami last Thursday, but he was lit up for seven runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. The 33-year-old showed diminished velocity in the outing and didn't feel any better in his subsequent side session, so he'll be shut down again as the Nationals look to get him back on track. Washington has yet to announce a replacement in the rotation for Strasburg.
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Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Shelled in return
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Strasburg (0-1) took the loss Thursday in Miami, allowing seven runs on eight hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out five in 4.2 innings.
It was his first major-league start in over a year and one Strasburg would probably like to forget. Five of the eight runs against him came with two outs, including the two-run homer by Jesus Sanchez that ended Strasburg's night in the fifth inning. Nevertheless, the four-time All-Star is back after missing significant time after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. It was just his eighth start since winning the 2019 World Series Most Valuable Player Award and re-signing with Washington on a seven-year, $245 million contract. Assuming he will take his normal turn in the rotation, Strasburg will likely pitch early next week against Atlanta.
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Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Activated for season debut
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Strasburg (neck) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of his start against the Marlins on Thursday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The veteran right-hander threw 83 pitches over six scoreless innings during his final rehab start Friday, and he's now back on the active roster for his 2022 debut Thursday in Miami. Strasburg has made only seven starts over the past two years while dealing with injuries, and he's likely to face at least some workload restrictions in his first outing of the season.
Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Making 2022 debut Thursday
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Strasburg (neck) will start Thursday's game in Miami, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com
Strasburg was considered a strong candidate to start Thursday's matchup since he threw a bullpen session Monday, and manager Dave Martinez officially confirmed Tuesday that the right-hander will make his season debut during Thursday's series finale against the Marlins. Strasburg also battled injuries in 2020 and 2021, and he made just seven starts during that time, posting a 5.74 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 26.2 innings.
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Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Slated to throw bullpen Monday
Rotowire
Strasburg (neck) will throw a bullpen session Monday, which would likely put him in line to start Thursday against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Strasburg threw six scoreless innings during a rehab start at Triple-A Rochester on Friday and appears to be on track to rejoin the Nationals' rotation this week. Washington hasn't yet announced a starter for Thursday's matchup in Miami, but the right-hander will likely take the mound as long as he feels good following Monday's bullpen.
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Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Excellent in rehab start
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Strasburg (neck) tossed six scoreless innings for Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
He gave up one hit and one walk while striking out four and throwing 83 pitches. He was also excellent in his prior rehab start, so it's fair to wonder if his next start might come in the big leagues.
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Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Rehab moves to Triple-A
Rotowire
Strasburg (neck) is making a rehab start for Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
He is coming off a stellar rehab outing at Single-A in which he struck out six over five no-hit innings. It's possible this could be Strasburg's final tuneup before joining the big-league rotation.
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Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Dazzles in second rehab outing
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Strasburg (neck) struck out six and walked one over five no-hit innings in his second rehab start with Single-A Fredericksburg on Sunday.
After issuing four walks in 2.2 innings Tuesday in his first rehab start for Fredericksburg and his 2022 debut, Strasburg righted the ship in his return to the mound. He retired the first 14 batters he faced Sunday and recorded 10 of his 15 outs via strikeouts or groundouts while needing only 58 pitches to cover five innings. According to Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com, the Nationals plan to have Strasburg make at least one or two more minor-league rehab starts before bringing him back from the 10-day injured list, so he's unlikely to join the big club until the second week of June at the soonest.
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Nationals' Stephen Strasburg: Slated for second rehab start
Rotowire
Strasburg (neck) is scheduled to make his second rehab start at Single-A Fredericksburg on Sunday, Byron Kerr of MLB.com reports.
Strasburg is expected to require at least three rehab starts prior to returning to major-league action, and the team is hopeful that he'll be able to throw 60-70 innings over 4-5 innings during his second outing Sunday. As long as he feels good afterward, the right-hander is expected to rejoin the Nationals to throw a bullpen next week before presumably heading out for another rehab start. If Strasburg remains on track in his recovery, he'll likely be in the mix to be activated at some point in early-to-mid June.
