Nationals place Stephen Strasburg on 10-day injured list
A recent MRI revealed inflammation in the right-hander’s shoulder
The Washington Nationals have placed veteran right-hander Stephen Strasburg on the 10-day injured list as he deals with right shoulder inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 15.
Stephen Strasburg was placed on the injured list today because of right shoulder inflammation. Paolo Espino will start in his place. Strasburg’s IL stint is retroactive to 4/15, two days after he gave up eight earned runs in four-plus innings.
— Maria Torres (@maria_torres3) April 18, 2021
Strasburg looked good in his first outing, allowing just one hit and zero runs over six innings. However, in his second start, he was tagged for eight runs over just four innings.
In total, he’s 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA through the two starts. He’s allowed eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits—including three homers—over 10 innings. Perhaps most alarming are his seven walks, which equate to a staggering 6.3 walks-per-nine rate.
After his worrisome outing on Tuesday, Strasburg was adamant that he was healthy. Also on Tuesday, manager Dave Martinez confirmed that trainers did not see anything out of the ordinary. Still, his velocity fell, with his fastball dropping to the low-90s.
Speaking on Sunday after Strasburg’s placement on the injured list, Martinez said that the 32-year-old felt shoulder discomfort during a bullpen session this past week. A subsequent MRI showed the inflammation, thus prompting Sunday’s roster move.
Strasburg is a former No. 1 overall pick. He’s spent all 12 pro seasons with the Nationals, including 11 in the majors. The three-time All-Star has received Cy Young votes in three seasons and MVP votes in one.
The timetable for Strasburg remains to be seen, but we’ll surely know more as the week progresses. 2021 has gotten off to an unfortunate start for the Nationals, so they will presumably be patient with Strasburg and have no interest in rushing him back too soon.