Stephen Strasburg has suffered yet another setback. The Washington Nationals starting pitcher felt an “uncomfortable” feeling his neck during his latest throwing session. Nationals manager Dave Martinez says the team is looking at other options including seeing another specialist about his ailing neck, according to Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post.
Strasburg has been sidelined on the injured list since June 2 with a strained neck. However, his recovery has not progressed well enough to get him back on the mound.
It’s been a rough two seasons for the three-time All-Star. After being named the 2019 World Series MVP, Strasburg has pitched a total of seven games in the last two seasons.
In 2020 his season ended after two starts with carpal tunnel neuritis in his pitching hand which required surgery. He came back this season. But has had two stints on the IL and pitched in just five games and 21 2/3 innings.
It’s been a concerning trend for the oft-injured hurler. Strasburg pitched a career-high 209 innings in 33 starts in 2019. Then carried that momentum into the playoffs where he posted a 1.98 ERA in 36 1/3 innings in route to the Nationals’ World Series championship.
He then signed a seven-year, $245 million deal to stay in Washington in 2020. Yet, the injuries of the past have reared its ugly head back into his career.
Strasburg is among a number of injuries that has hampered the Nationals’ season. They’re currently seven games out of first place in the NL East, as the trade deadline approaches. The latest setback for Strasburg casts a gloomier cloud over their 2021 aspirations.
