BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Report: Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg has ‘severe nerve damage’

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Saturday, June 03, 2023

Report: Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg has ‘severe nerve damage’

Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg has “severe nerve damage,” leading to doubts he will ever pitch again, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Strasburg, 34, was shut down more than a month ago, unable to take part in any rehabilitation, per the report. He had surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome and hasn’t pitched in a game since last June.

He has a history of nerve issues.

After an offseason throwing session at Nationals Park in Washington in February, he reported nerve pain in his neck and shoulder. He missed spring training and was put on the 60-day injured list before Opening Day, and although he is eligible to come off, that isn’t in the Nationals’ plans.

He had continued to try to stay in shape by working out his lower body, but that stopped because of pain, tingling and numbness.

Strasburg has pitched just 31⅓ innings in three seasons since winning World Series MVP honors in 2019 when Washington beat the Houston Astros in the Fall Classic.

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: June 03, 2023 at 04:29 PM | 20 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: stephen strasburg

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. shoelesjoe Posted: June 03, 2023 at 05:22 PM (#6131414)

Strasburg's last good season was 2019, so it looks like the Nationals are going to end up paying him $245 million for a 6.9 ERA over 31 innings in 8 starts since then (assuming they don't have insurance on the contract). Is this now the worst contract in MLB history?

2. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: June 03, 2023 at 05:29 PM (#6131416)

But the Nationals do not have any disability insurance on Strasburg’s contract, according to four people familiar with the situation. The premiums would have been extremely high, two people explained, and that’s assuming the team and an insurance company could have agreed on a policy, given Strasburg’s age and extensive injury history. And three people familiar with the situation doubt ownership would have spent on top of the $245 million, even if doing so would have provided some financial protection in a worst-case scenario.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/06/03/stephen-strasburg-tos-recovery-nationals/

3. DCA Posted: June 03, 2023 at 05:33 PM (#6131418)

Is this now the worst contract in MLB history?

Probably. It was a massive overpay even assuming perfect health (never a safe assumption for pitchers in general and Strasburg in particular).

At least Chris Davis got on the field - he even was good the first year - and he only cost 2/3 as much.

4. Baldrick Posted: June 03, 2023 at 05:40 PM (#6131420)

Well, when you consider that he's accumulated -0.5 WAR over those 31 innings in the last three years, all of the injuries have actually added a huge number of wins to the team.

5. McCoy Posted: June 03, 2023 at 05:45 PM (#6131421)

Thank god they benched him in 2012.

6. Walt Davis Posted: June 03, 2023 at 09:41 PM (#6131439)

After an offseason throwing session at Nationals Park in Washington in February, he reported nerve pain in his neck and shoulder.... He had continued to try to stay in shape by working out his lower body, but that stopped because of pain, tingling and numbness.

This sounds far shittier than "won't pitch again." This sounds like a nasty chronic disorder.

7. ReggieThomasLives Posted: June 03, 2023 at 11:16 PM (#6131449)

The nerves of this guy.

8. The Duke Posted: June 04, 2023 at 10:08 AM (#6131460)

I remember when he came up he was must-see TV. How many players get that in their career:

Koufax
Fydrich
Mcgwire-Sosa
Barry bonds in his final years
Valenzuela
Brock's chase of Maury wills record
Pete rose consecutive game streak
Doc gooden
Reggie Jackson in the World Series

For the cardinals, Rick Ankiels return as a position player makes the list

9. The Honorable Ardo Posted: June 04, 2023 at 01:09 PM (#6131477)

Most similar pitcher in career shape, IMO, is another World Series MVP - Jose Rijo.

I watched the Strasmas game.

Ivan Rodriguez caught him that day. Rodriguez played with Nolan Ryan, who played with Ed Charles, who got a contract offer out of high school from the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues. Time moves fast.

10. Captain Joe Bivens, Pointless and Wonderful Posted: June 04, 2023 at 01:43 PM (#6131480)

Sounds like stenosis, somewhere between C2 thru C6, with laminectomy/foraminotomy the prescribed treatment. There is a chance he can pitch again, after a year or so.

IANAN.

11. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: June 04, 2023 at 10:07 PM (#6131517)

I remember when he came up he was must-see TV. How many players get that in their career:

Bryce Harper, and going back to 1990: Ben McDonald, whose debut as a starting pitcher turned out to be the best game of his career, an 85 pitch complete game shutout with an 83 Game Score.

12. Mr. Hotfoot Jackson (gef, talking mongoose) Posted: June 04, 2023 at 10:25 PM (#6131520)

Ben McDonald had no arm
E-i-e-i-o

13. Bourbon Samurai stays in the fight Posted: June 05, 2023 at 09:18 AM (#6131540)

As a Nats fan, I was pretty sure the contract was going to be bad, but I wanted to take all the money and give it to Anthony Rendon, so what do I know.

At least Strasburg earned it all in 2019.

14. cHiEf iMpaCt oFfiCEr JE

Posted: June 05, 2023 at 12:52 PM (#6131563)

Is this now the worst contract in MLB history?

Patrick Corbin must be so disappointed.

15. Howie Menckel Posted: June 05, 2023 at 02:20 PM (#6131573)

another contender for worst contract ever: Mets signed Tomas Nido to a two-year contract in March.

doesn't matter how much money (ok, ok, it's 2 years, $3.7M) - still among the worst ever.

he was DFA'd today, leaves with a MINUS 28 OPS+ this year, "slash line" of .153/.125/.278 - 7 measly singles in 56 AB.

in parts of 7 seasons with the Mets, he has a 55 OPS+ in 805 PA.

led the NL in sac bunts in 2022 with 12 - so he's got that going for him, which is nice.

huh:

Mike Puma
@NYPost_Mets
·
1h
Hearing that the expectation is the Mets will work out a trade that involves Tomas Nido, who was designated for assignment by the club today.

..................
[Wow. I'm guessing Astros, for a used trash can]

16. McCoy Posted: June 05, 2023 at 06:26 PM (#6131592)

That's a steal as that trash can did more to win a WS than Tomas will ever do.

17. Zach Posted: June 05, 2023 at 07:04 PM (#6131596)

I went through a spell of arm numbness once. I wouldn't wish it on anybody. Best of luck to Strasburg.

18. tell me when i'm telling 57i66135 Posted: June 05, 2023 at 07:07 PM (#6131598)

sounds like a job for horse dewormer.

19. tell me when i'm telling 57i66135 Posted: June 05, 2023 at 07:09 PM (#6131599)

I remember when he came up he was must-see TV. How many players get that in their career:

i drove down to DC to see roy halladay's first game as a phillie.

20. Slivers of Maranville descends into chaos (SdeB) Posted: June 05, 2023 at 07:52 PM (#6131602)

Is this now the worst contract in MLB history?

Miguel Cabrera's contract is up this season.

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Saturday, June 03, 2023

Report: Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg has ‘severe nerve damage’

Reader Comments and Retorts

BBTF Partner

Support BBTF

Hot Topics