Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg left his start Friday after two innings with “a little inflammation” in his pitching shoulder, manager Dave Martinez told Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post and other reporters. Strasburg revealed that the issue began bothering him a few starts ago, and he’ll undergo an MRI on Saturday. Injuries have long been a concern for the 29-year-old Strasburg, though he has always delivered terrific results when healthy. He has once again offered high-end production this year, having notched a 3.46 ERA with 10.6 K/9 and 2.12 BB/9 in 80 2/3 innings. The Nats can ill afford to lose Strasburg as they seek a third straight division title, then, especially with fellow starter Jeremy Hellickson currently on the disabled list with a hamstring strain.
More injury notes from the NL East…
- Mets righty Noah Syndergaard won’t come off the DL to make his scheduled start against the Yankees on Sunday, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Syndergaard, who has been out since May 26 with a strained finger ligament, experienced a setback after playing catch this week. It’s unknown how much more time Syndergaard will miss, but with him unavailable, the Mets will start fellow righty Seth Lugo on Sunday.
- Phillies left fielder Rhys Hoskins could return from the DL on Saturday, Matt Breen of Philly.com reports. That would represent a quick comeback for a player who suffered a fractured jaw May 28. In other positive news for the Phillies, the club has ruled out the possibility of thoracic outlet syndrome for injured righty Jerad Eickhoff, general manager Matt Klentak announced. Still, even though the Phillies have “ruled out a lot of bad stuff” for Eickhoff, according to Klentak, they’re unsure what’s causing the numbness in his fingers. Both that problem and a strained lat have shelved Eickhoff for the entire season thus far.
- Braves third base prospect Austin Riley is set to miss “several weeks” after suffering a sprained PCL in his right knee, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. The promising 21-year-old had been faring nicely in his first action at Triple-A, where he has slashed .284/.345/.431 in 113 plate appearances (with a 33.6 percent strikeout rate, however). It’s possible Riley’s injury could affect his chances at a major league promotion this season and influence the Braves’ trade deadline plans. Atlanta’s top two options at third are Johan Camargo and Ryan Flaherty, but both players’ numbers have fallen off as the season has progressed. In the event the Braves seek a veteran upgrade at the hot corner over the summer, there should be some proven commodities available, as MLBTR’s Jeff Todd and Steve Adams pointed out Friday.
Braves should sign Hanley Ramirez to 3B.
Uh, NO
It’s really not a bad option. I just don’t like his personality
Defensively it would be a pretty bad option.
Only 5.5 years left on the Strasburg contract.
Oh, to think of all the DL trips to be had.
Lucky for the Nats. He’s an excellent pitcher
He’d be a first ballot hall of gamer if he could stay healthy.
Yeah, and Kerry Wood and Mark Prior would’ve been too…
Huge Starsburg fan but I have yet to see first ballot HOF pitcher, maybe his debut. He has been pretty great but he is not even at Max’s level.
Lol what a terrible comparison. Strasburg has already surpassed both of them its not even close, and this coming from someone who actually likes the Cubs and hates the Nats.
What I meant is if he had stayed healthy.
The contract looks increasingly bad with each injury. Not even close to Hall of Fame. He’s actually had a meh career thus far. And the Nats are going to pay for more of that. Careers are built on results—not hype and potential.
You’re so wrong. I don’t know how he’s had a “meh” career, when he routinely throws an ERA in the low 3’s. Yes, he’s not a hall of fame, but if he keeps pitching the way he’s pitching, the Nats will still be ecstatic with his contract.
And I know for a fact that you’ve called crappy Orioles pitchers excellent in the past. To call Strasburg meh just shows that your jealous of the good beltway team.
Tough situation for Nats pitching & SS! He has pitched better but not slot of run support in a few games. Seems like maybe the Nats could use a better OrthoSurgeon w their pitchers, that includes overall throwing & physical component. Too many injuries.
Stras and Hellickson, who has only made a few starts with them. Who am I missing? NYM would kill to have those kind of rotational injury problems.
“Who am I missing?”
Joe Ross.
Enter Moustakas
Rather have Beltre
Moustakas is young and healthy. Beltre is not.