WASHINGTON– World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg was scratched from what was supposed to be his very first start of the season for the Washington Nationals on Saturday night since of a nerve problem with his right-hand man.
Nationals supervisor Dave Martinez revealed about 4 hours prior to the set up first pitch versus the going to New York Yankees that Strasburg would be replaced as his groups starter by Erick Fedde.
When groups reconvened for a ramp-up to the routine season, Strasburg described the issue as a nerve impingement in his wrist and stated it initially occurred early this month. One of the first signs was that his hand would go to sleep.
He felt something wrong from his wrist to his thumb, especially throughout his latest look, in an exhibit game versus the Baltimore Orioles last week.
” It got to the point where I didnt have the exact same sensation in my hand holding the ball,” Strasburg said, “and it was affecting my capability to command the baseball the way Im accustomed to.”.
The right-hander stated he felt improvement in his fingers after receiving his “last shot” on Friday– both he and Martinez compared the treatment to a cortisone injection– however Strasburg didnt elaborate when asked whether that suggested he got more than one.
” Nerve issues are pretty unpredictable,” Strasburg said.
He stated he hopes resting now will enable him to “be back rather than if I attempt to gut it out at this moment.”.
Strasburg said he wasnt “extremely worried” and doubts he will be sidelined for too long.
Martinezs take: “Hopefully this is a day-to-day thing. We wish to beware.”.
Martinez stated this was unassociated to a lower arm issue Strasburg dealt with in the past.
Simply one video game into the pandemic-delayed season– a 4-1, rain-shortened loss to the Yankees on Thursday– the Nationals already are faced with plenty of bad news.
That consists of slugger Juan Sotos journey to the COVID-19 hurt list Thursday after evaluating favorable for the illness, and catcher Tres Barreras 80-game drug suspension revealed Saturday.
A little bit of welcome news for Martinez and his club at the beginning of this 60-game experiment of a season: All of the coronavirus tests taken Thursday by the Nationals came back unfavorable Saturday.
” To be frank,” Strasburg stated, “this season is a bit of mess.”.
In 2019, Strasburg became the first pitcher to complete a postseason with a 5-0 record, assisting the Nationals declare the franchises first championship. He then decided out of what was left on his contract and re-signed with Washington for $245 million over 7 years.
Strasburg, who turned 32 on Monday, made every start last season, 33 in all, and topped the NL with 209 innings and 18 wins. After more than 10 trips to the injured list throughout the years– consisting of 2 per year in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018– he did not miss out on any time in 2019.
He went 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA and 251 strikeouts, then followed that up with his incredible postseason: 1.98 ERA, 47 strikeouts, just 4 strolls, 36 1/3 innings.
For his career, Strasburg is 112-58 with a 3.17 ERA for the Nationals, who chose him No. 1 overall in the 2008 amateur draft.
Also on Saturday, Martinez stated novice 3rd baseman Carter Kieboom has a “little, small groin concern” that gives him problem when he moves laterally, so would begin as the DH on Saturday.
