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Thursday, September 13, 2012

WaPo: Stephen Strasburg, pinch hitter?

Not since the days of Duke Newcombe!

The Nationals have shut down Stephen Strasburg’s right arm for the season, but Manager Davey Johnson has not ruled out using him again this season in a different way.

“I check on him,” Johnson said. “I told him yesterday, to give him something to think about, I said, ‘Keep taking batting practice. I might need your bat. If I can’t use your arm, I’ll use your bat.’ ”

In the past, Johnson said he would not use Strasburg as a pinch-hitter, even if Strasburg’s ability – his slash line currently sits at .277/.333/.426 in 53 plate appearances – made it tempting. But Johnson insisted he was not joking about the possibility of Strasburg batting.

“I’m serious, yeah,” he said.

Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' Posted: September 13, 2012 at 11:17 AM | 15 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: nationals, washington

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1. KT's Pot Arb Posted: September 13, 2012 at 01:07 PM (#4234851)

This would keep him on the playoff roster!

Which is fine cause Davy would never be tempted to use Strasburg in a high leverage spot when his bullpen is toast in a critical playoff game.

Never.

2. Nasty Nate Posted: September 13, 2012 at 01:31 PM (#4234887)

Did Yocum tell Rizzo to do this?

3. JoeHova Posted: September 13, 2012 at 01:40 PM (#4234902)

This would keep him on the playoff roster!

I kind of assumed Johnson meant he might PH him sometime this month, not in the playoffs.

4. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire Posted: September 13, 2012 at 02:04 PM (#4234935)

I wouldn't put him on the playoff roster, but sounds like a fun idea for the rest of the year. Just don't break a finger!

5. ThisElevatorIsDrivingMeUpTheWall Posted: September 13, 2012 at 02:16 PM (#4234945)

That would be a fun tool to bluff with though, he could occasionally go down to the bullpen and stretch, play catch with an outfielder between innings, trip Teddy during a race, etc.

6. ColonelTom Posted: September 13, 2012 at 02:58 PM (#4235001)

I'm surprised they haven't encased him in plastic bubble wrap by now. Can you imagine the outcry if he were seriously injured as a pinch-hitter after the shutdown?

7. jack the seal clubber (on the sidelines of life) Posted: September 13, 2012 at 03:34 PM (#4235048)

Can you imagine the outcry if he were seriously injured as a pinch-hitter after the shutdown?

Carpenter- "Nats trail 4-3 with one man on, two out, bottom of the 18th. The Series on the line. Davey has no one to use but Strasburg! Here he comes to pinch hit against Jim Johnson. It's a long drive to center!! It has a chance!! It's gone! Strasburg throws away his bat wildly in triumph..OH NO!!".

8. Dale Sams Posted: September 13, 2012 at 03:41 PM (#4235053)

Why is Carpenter calling the World Series, and even Showalter wouldn't save Johnson until the 18th

Dale Sams: Nitpicking ass

9. jack the seal clubber (on the sidelines of life) Posted: September 13, 2012 at 03:47 PM (#4235058)

Why is Carpenter calling the World Series, and even Showalter wouldn't save Johnson until the 18th

Dale Sams: Nitpicking ass

Poetic license. (You can probably substitute Joe Buck and Darren O'Day).

10. Nasty Nate Posted: September 13, 2012 at 04:03 PM (#4235079)

...and even Showalter wouldn't save Johnson until the 18th

Chris Davis would be pitching.

(...and if the opponent were the Dodgers, a rested Josh Beckett would not come into the game, forcing them to lose the game with Tony Gwynn Jr giving up the losing runs)

11. dr. scott Posted: September 14, 2012 at 02:55 PM (#4236000)

I thought they released TG Jr.

12. Tom Nawrocki Posted: September 14, 2012 at 03:00 PM (#4236004)

Just to be safe, I would shut him down as a pinch-hitter once he reaches 160 plate appearances.

13. DKDC Posted: September 14, 2012 at 04:03 PM (#4236084)

The role of former Orioles position player prospect who takes the loss as emergency pitcher in the 17th inning will be played by:

LAD Jerry Hairston
WAS Jason Werth
CIN Willie Harris
TEX Brandon Snyder
NYY Darnell McDonald (of course)

14. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: September 14, 2012 at 04:08 PM (#4236093)

NYY Darnell McDonald (of course)

They cut him.

15. Athletic Supporter gangnam style Posted: September 14, 2012 at 04:13 PM (#4236098)

Poetic license. (You can probably substitute Joe Buck and Darren O'Day).

Buck - "The Nationals down to their final out here, and Stephen Strasburg is pinch-hitting. He hits the ball deep to center field. Home run. Nationals win. On behalf of all of us at FOX, thanks for watching, and don't forget to tune into this week's Ben and Kate. You won't believe what kind of trouble Ben gets into this week."

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Thursday, September 13, 2012

WaPo: Stephen Strasburg, pinch hitter?

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