Stephen Strasburg’s Nationals saga should serve as cautionary tale

Strasburg signed a seven-year, $245 million contract extension with the Nationals in 2019, shortly after serving to convey home the franchise’s first World Sequence title and MVP honors, nonetheless points quickly began to go downhill for the ace. 

From 2020 onward, Strasburg made solely eight begins for the Nationals, dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome, a excessive nerve state of affairs. He underwent surgical process in 2021 in hopes of returning to the mound at full energy nonetheless made his ultimate primary league look in 2022, pitching solely 4 2/3 innings in direction of the Miami Marlins. 

Unable to pitch, Strasburg leaned in direction of retirement. Nonetheless, on account of his contract was uninsured, the Nationals have been solely chargeable for paying it. This, sadly, led to a bit little little bit of nastiness. 

In September 2023, the Nationals abruptly postponed a retirement ceremony to honor arguably the simplest pitchers inside the franchise’s historic previous. Then, proprietor Mark Lemer appeared to insist that Strasburg report to spring training, though it was clear he had thrown his ultimate pitch. 

Fortuitously, cooler heads have prevailed, ending a state of affairs that may’ve turned ugly. The saga involving Strasburg and the Nationals must be a cautionary story for others, though.

Via the years, MLB has seen an increase in excessive arm accidents suffered by pitchers. Most simply currently, Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber fell sufferer to a season-ending UCL injury, whereas the equivalent ailment has moreover jeopardized Atlanta Braves Spencer Strider’s yr.

Satirically, roughly a month up to now, Strider spoke at dimension regarding the “epidemic,” relating it to the league’s new tips, along with the pitch clock.

MLBPA authorities director Tony Clark addressed the state of affairs, criticizing the league for failing to “acknowledge or study” the implications of these drastic changes. MLB responded in an announcement arguing that there isn’t any proof to assist claims that the pitch clock or another rule change is liable for the improve in elbow accidents. Likewise, the league says “empirical evidence” proves that may enhance in velocity and spin are the wrongdoer. 

Regardless of why so many elite pitchers are landing on the long-term IL, it’s sure to change how teams operate and probably the league. The present uptick in accidents may need teams pondering twice about investing massive {{dollars}} in pitchers, and, at this worth, the league ought to do one factor. Whether or not or not that ends in a tweak inside the current tips stays to be seen, nonetheless doing nothing the least bit just isn’t an chance.