After pitching in a complete of 245.1 innings in 2019 right through the common season, Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg was once ready to be a key cog within the Nationals successful the World Series. For his section, he received the 2019 World Series MVP award, got here in 5th in NL Cy Young Award vote casting, or even garnered some NL MVP votes.
However, since then, it’s been a fight for him. He has suffered thru a litany of accidents, that have brought about him to just make 8 begins (31.1 innings) within the 3 seasons since.
This 12 months, Strasburg has had thoracic outlet syndrome, main him to just get started in a single recreation (4.2 innings) sooner than heading again to the IL.
Last week, Washington Nationals ace beginning pitcher Stephen Strasburg spoke to The Washington Post about his struggles.
“Every time I’ve had an injury, I felt like I was going to be the best there is coming back,” Strasburg, 34, advised The Washington Post ultimate week. “… This is the one that’s still definitely a big question mark.
“I realize the clock is ticking. It’s been almost three years since I’ve been able to pitch competitively, and it’s not like I’m getting younger.”
Yesterday, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo was once a visitor of The Sports Junkies display on Audacy’s 106.7 The Fan in D.C. (the flagship associate for the Nationals) and he replied to Strasburg’s feedback.
Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo on Stephen Strasburg
“I see (Strasburg) every day, I see him working out in the clubhouse and stuff,” Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo mentioned on Stephen Strasburg. He’s upbeat and sure, and I’m going to be too. We’ll see what occurs, there’s numerous put on and tear on that frame, that arm, and this ultimate surgical operation (thoracic outlet syndrome surgical operation in July) he had is one thing that’s unpredictable and we haven’t noticed numerous on this trade.
“But I hope for the best, we’ll see where (he) is this winter and we’ll keep tabs on him and hopefully he can come back and help the franchise. I’ve seen him in the clubhouse and he’s interacting with his teammates and he’s upbeat, always saying hi to me and interacting with the coaches and the players. So I think that emotionally he’s fine …”
You can pay attention to all of his feedback right here or under (at about 12:15).
Without Strasburg this 12 months, the Nationals were the worst workforce in baseball, as they’ve a 52-97 report. They have a beginning pitcher ERA of five.76, which is just about a part of a run worse than the following workforce.
Strasburg, 34, is below contract throughout the 2026 season as 2020 was once the primary 12 months of his seven-year contract extension with the Nationals. If Strasburg comes to a decision to retire, he would forego $140 million over the following 4 years ($35 million in keeping with season).