Nationals' Stephen Strasburg unsure about future with latest injury

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has pitched eight games over the last three seasons. Each year has ended with Strasburg on the shelf with an injury. His latest injury has the 34-year-old unsure when or if he’ll pitch in the MLB again.

Strasburg sat down with the Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty and opened up about his future’s uncertainty.

“I realize the clock is ticking,” Strasburg admitted to Dougherty. “It’s been almost three years since I’ve been able to pitch competitively, and it’s not like I’m getting younger.”

Strasburg was shut down after two starts in 2020 due to a nerve injury in his pitching hand. The following year, he made five starts before the Nationals shut him down again. He underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.

This season, Strasburg made one start and hasn’t pitched again with a stress reaction in his ribs associated with last year’s surgery.

Strasburg told Dougherty he has been limited in exercises but has seen some improvement in how he’s felt.

“I feel like the strength is not quite there, and I’m not really sure what the future holds,” Strasburg said.

Strasburg last played a whole season in 2019, when he played an integral part in the Nats winning their first World Series title. He had an NL-best 18 wins. The 209 innings he pitches were his most since the 2014 season. 

Strasburg continued his excellence in the postseason as he was named the World Series MVP.

His performance landed him a seven-year, $245 million contract from the Nationals. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to continue his strong play and live up to the new deal.

Strasburg has battled injuries since being drafted first overall in 2009 by the Nationals. He underwent Tommy John surgery early in his career that led to his infamous shutdown in 2012 despite being healthy and the Nationals reaching the postseason that year.

“I feel like every time I’ve had an injury, I felt like I was going to be the best there is coming back,” Strasburg said. “This is the one that’s still definitely a big question mark.”

As the injuries continue to mount, it has become evident that his peak was in 2019. Now, he’s closer to the end with his best years behind him.