Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg had a non-cancerous growth surgically removed from his back shortly after the season ended, agent Scott Boras told reporters, including James Wagner of the Washington Post, at today’s GM Meetings. As Wagner points out, the news contradicts a statement made yesterday by Nats GM Mike Rizzo, in which he said the Nationals didn’t have any postseason surgeries. Back and oblique issues sent Strasburg to the disabled list on multiple occasions this season, and the right-hander carried a 6.55 ERA through his first 10 starts before turning around and dealing to the tune of a 1.76 ERA with a 110-to-12 K/BB ratio across his final 13 starts (82 innings). It’s easy to imagine the growth serving as the root of many of Strasburg’s back issues in 2015. The former No. 1 overall draft pick is arbitration eligible for the final time this offseason and will likely be the market’s top free agent following the 2016 season.
A few more notes on the Nationals…
- Wagner also reports (via Twitter) that the Nationals are interested in Ben Zobrist. Washington has been interested in Zobrist in the past as well, and the versatile switch-hitter could factor into the team’s plans in the infield or in the outfield. Of course, the Nats would face steep competition in the market for Zobrist, who is drawing widespread interest due to that versatility and his long track record of above-average production at the plate.
- While many have speculated that the Nationals could look to upgrade at catcher, Rizzo spoke highly of Wilson Ramos despite a down season in 2015. “He was No. 1 in throwing runners out. He was up for a Gold Glove,” said Rizzo. “He was one of the top in National League in home runs and RBI. He had a down year in getting on base, not like he should, and hitting for average. But as far as a guy, as catchers go, really had some impact in the lineup with power, RBI and catch-throw skills were fine. We like Ramos. He’s a guy that it would be difficult to find a better replacement for.” The Nats have been listed as a speculative fit for Matt Wieters, especially considering Ramos’ 2015 struggles and his status as a free agent next winter. However, Rizzo’s comments line up with previous reports indicating that Washington will not be a serious player for the market’s top free-agent catcher.
- Ian Desmond said in a recent MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM appearance (MLB.com video link) that he would “love to give [the Nationals] an opportunity to tell me the direction that they’re moving in and go from there” when discussing the Nats. It’s expected that Desmond will sign elsewhere, and while he could sign with any club, he did say in that appearance that he “loves the National League game” and considers himself a “National League guy,” though he of course didn’t rule out signing with an American League club.
Washington will not be a serious player for Rizzo or Wieters?
What do you mean rizzo? Rizzo who?
re: Strasburg
“It’s easy to imagine the growth serving as the root of many of Strasburg’s back issues in 2015”
I’ve had a “non-cancerous growth removed” from MY back. It was done on an outpatient basis, with only local anesthetic. The growth never caused me a moment of discomfort. I didn’t even know it was there for quite some time. It’s an assumption that this type of issue had anything to do with this athlete’s back issues. One can “imagine” it, but that’s far from it being a fact. I’ve also had back issues that were muscular in nature, and completely unrelated to the growth. So, there’s that.
You seem like a generally unpleasant person. If it was a surgery to remove it and it was not done on an outpatient basis, it is easy to imagine it playing a role. But even if it didn’t, you made the point that he did say “it’s easy to imagine,” not that it’s known to have affected his play.
IIRC, Strasburg’s first DL stint was a turned/twisted ankle that led to some mechanical issues. Then there was the neck, shoulder stiffness. Without all the medical details it’s really difficult to conjecture about the severity of the growth or it’s prophylactic removal.
So your assessment of the situation is that every non-cancerous growth in someone’s back is roughly equal? And that despite the fact that as a professional athlete, Strasburg puts his body through more physical stress on a given day than 97% of the average population, it’s silly to think that such an issue could’ve led to some of his mound struggles because you had a relatively painless procedure? All of this despite not knowing where the growth in Strasburg’s back was specifically located, the size of the growth, etc.
Additionally, at no point did I claim that to be fact. I was, in fact, deliberately careful not to make such an assessment, given the lack of detail surrounding the procedure.
Desmond gone, He had his chance and blew it, Next Stop New York Mets !
I think he goes to the padres , or an american league team
:-) Rizzo is always interested in Ben Zobrist — like just before he traded for Asdrubal Cabrera, and then right before he traded for Yunel Escobar.