Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been ruled out for tonight’s scheduled start against the Yankees, according to Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic. Strasburg is dealing with a “nerve issue” in his right hand, with manager Dave Martinez telling reporters he’s received an injection as a result and is considered day-to-day. The Nationals will trot right-hander Erick Fedde out to the mound in Strasburg’s place.
Strasburg’s 2020 season debut will be put on hold momentarily. As of now, it doesn’t seem like he’ll require an injured list stint, and he told reporters that he’s not “extremely concerned” that the injury will keep him out for an extended period. Without a doubt, it could serve Strasburg and the Nats well not to push it this early in the season.
Per Todd Dybas of NBC Sports, the nerve impingement in Strasburg’s hand has been an ongoing issue in recent weeks. That said, Strasburg told reporters that he’s already feeling better after receiving a shot yesterday.
After his World Series heroics earned him prestigious World Series MVP award, Strasburg was rewarded with a seven-year, $245MM contract to keep him in D.C. for the foreseeable future. Last year, the 32-year-old authored arguably his best regular season yet, reaching the 30-start threshold for the first time since 2014. In 209 innings, he struck out 251 batters and notched a 3.32 ERA.
Fedde, meanwhile, will have his hands full as he makes his first start of the season. He’ll be opposed by James Paxton and the Yankees, who welcome DJ LeMahieu back to the lineup after a bout with COVID-19. Fedde worked as both a starter and a reliever for the Nationals last year, making 12 starts and 9 relief appearances. His 4.50 ERA was the best mark he’s posted in a season since debuting in 2017, but his strikeout rate declined precipitously, as he averaged just 4.7 K/9, compared to the 8.4 K/9 he tallied over the previous two seasons.
Season is off to a lovely start!
Here’s hoping Strasburg’s “nerve issue” doesn’t linger.
It begins already. Should have brough back Rendon over Stras.
Reasonable, though Rendon is currently on the mend himself.
Pitching is always better in the long run. I believe they made the right choice.
Rendon is aging faster too…
The worst news for the Crashinals. Let’s just hope this nerve issue isn’t a problem during the season, and goes away. Stras was the guy to re-sign instead of Rendon. But they should have signed Donaldson to replace AR at 3rd base.
You are so annoying
Would you say he gets on your…nerves?
I feel Red Eye is really nervy! You ever get a case of that? Worse then Covid-19.
I think this goes to show that the Nationals have a bottom to their pockets.
Nerve of him to miss his start.
no offense to tge Nats, but this is why they were somewhat lucky last year. getting a full year of Stras is very rare. that’s why i cant see them as favorites this year.
Hey, I finally agree with you over something!
I thought similarly. When I saw the insane contract they gave him, I thought it was very possible they start regretting it sooner rather than later. Maybe this is the start of that or maybe it isn’t but if Strasburgs history informs us of his future, it’s coming.
This season is just insanity. Loosing Soto was catastrophic enough. The Nationals might not even hit the ball past the pitchers mound. (Yes this is exaggeration, don’t overreact)
For me, the Nationals chose Strasburg because they decided pitching would be the main strength of the team so anytime lost from the rotation is difficult.
Sounds nasty! Hope Strasburg is okay.
Nerve issue isn’t good, there’s probably a bigger issue with his elbow if he’s got nerve issues in his hand.
Question? There were four shutouts thrown yesterday, Opening Day for most teams. Is that a record for most shutouts for a team’s first game of the year?
Another Comments section worthy of comedy gold: Strasburg has been relatively injury-free in recent years, and was absolutely Clemens-like in the World Series, but ahh who needs him, they shouldve signed Rendon, who actually wanted to move back West (And Rendon has been injured and inactive for the past 10 days). Oh, and The Nats were “lucky” last season. After they healed up they went 77-38 to end the reg season, and won the WS, Uh huh. And finally, The Nats shouldve thrown crazy ass money at 34 yo Josh Donaldson? Comedy genius. Make sure to tip your server on the way out.
Uh, what do you consider “relatively injury-free”? Here’s his innings in recent years:
19 209
18 130
17 175.1
16 147.2
15 127.1
Looks more like a guy who is pitching 2/3 of the time, besides in 19.
Uh, the mere mention of a DAY-TO-DAY injury like this to Strasburg leads folks – who probably dont follow the team on a daily basis – to wet the bed. Strasburg ramped DOWN on his reliance on fastballs to preserve his arm. His decision to pitch strictly from the stretch was a calculated move to hone his mechanics, and reduce stress on his arm/back/neck. And since we’re talking about the VALUE of staying healthy, fans gnashed their teeth in agony when The Nats let Bryce Harper (who does NOT have a injury “rap”) walk. But Harper’s WAR < Strasburg's WAR since 2013. What Strasburg did in the regular season AND World Series last season as a starter AND pitcher was to have the endurance to earn them a ring. No Strasburg? No rings.
P.S. — meant starter and *reliever*.