Stephen Strasburg was on the mound for the Washington Nationals for the first time in over a year. The right-handed pitcher made just seven starts since being named the 2019 World Series MVP. His seasons afterwards have each ended with injury.
Strasburg returned Thursday night facing the red hot Miami Marlins. Expectations of seeing the old “Strasmas” were tapered. However, his return was up and down throughout.
He allowed seven earned runs and eight hits while walking two and striking out five in 4 ⅔ innings. He threw 83 pitches, including 53 strikes. His velocity was way down to an average of 90.3 miles per hour. That’s three to four mph lower than what he threw in his rehab starts with the Fredericksburg Nationals.
The Nationals fell 7-4, completing the series sweep to the Marlins.
Stephen Strasburg settled down after first before hook in fifth
Strasburg was roughed up early in the first inning. The Marlins put three runs on the board. Strasburg got two outs on grounders after Jazz Chisholm Jr. reached on a bunt single to leadoff the game. Strasburg walked one then allowed an RBI double to Jesus Sanchez . The next batter, Jon Berti, hit a two-run single before Strasburg got Miguel Rojas to fly out to end the inning.
Strasburg’s highs occurred right after that, as he struck out the side in the second.
He the nine of the next 11 batters after giving up three runs. But, he seemingly wore down in the fifth, as he allowed for runs in the frame. That included Sanchez hitting a two-run homer before Nationals manager gave Strasburg the hook, ending his night.
Strasburg has been a far cry to his incredible 2019 season. Coincidentally, that was the season he threw 209 innings during the regular season. Then he tacked on an additional 36 ⅓ innings in the postseason as the Nationals won the World Series.
Key for Strasburg is health more than anything else
Since, he has signed a seven-year, $245 million contract to stay in Washington. Unfortunately, he was limited to 26 ⅔ innings over the last two seasons.
A nerve issue in his pitching hand ended his 2020 season after two starts. Last season he pitched five starts before being shut down once again. He underwent surgery to alleviate neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
With a long list of injuries throughout his career, the best thing about his first start back is that he made it through healthy. Now the focus will be making sure he can pitch every five days.
Now in his 13th season in MLB, Strasburg’s prime days seemingly are long behind the 33-year old. But he’s still looking to be a consistent pitcher and avoid additional injuries.
