Stephen Strasburg’s return to the mound has taken another hit after the Washington Nationals reportedly barred the pitcher from physical activity for the foreseeable future, according to the Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty.
Strasburg, 34, last pitched on June 9, 2022, when he allowed eight hits and seven earned runs in 4.2 innings. Four days later, the Nationals placed Strasburg on the shoulder discomfort list and he hasn’t seen the mound since.
Injuries have plagued Strasburg’s career since he won the 2019 World Series MVP and signed a seven-year, $245 million contract. He has made just eight appearances on the mound since 2020 after continuing to suffer from vein disease in his throwing arm for the past three seasons.
Strasburg started two games in 2020 after he began a COVID-shortened season on the injured list and underwent surgery to address carpal tunnel syndrome in his throwing hand. He started two games in 2021 before landing in IL, then started three more games before undergoing season-ending surgery on July 27, 2021, to correct thoracic outlet syndrome. And in 2022, Strasburg once again started in the IL, started a game, and finished in the IL.
He missed spring training this year and was placed on the 60-day injured list before Opening Day. While Strasburg should be able to return soon, sources told Dougherty that Strasburg has not done any rehabilitation activities for more than a month due to “severe nerve damage.”
Strasburg reportedly tried to increase his rehab three different times during the winter but continued to feel discomfort in his right side. He still has three years left on his contract but the Nationals are unable to obtain casualty insurance for the Strasburg deal, sources told Dougherty, because the premiums for that policy would be “too high” because of pitcher’s injury history. Strasburg also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2010.
The former No. 1 pick in 2009 pitched 1,470 innings for the Nationals with a 113-62 record. Strasburg also has a career ERA of 3.24, a 1.096 WHIP and 1,723 strikeouts.