August 24, 2023
Washington Nationals pitcher
Stephen Strasburg is planning to retire as he was unable to avoid complications related to thoracic outlet syndrome that has largely kept him off the mound in recent seasons. The 35-year-old has made just eight starts since 2020, the season that followed a World Series championship and World Series MVP honors. Strasburg tossed 34 1/3 innings of eight-run ball in the 2019 postseason, including 14 1/3 innings of four-run ball with 14 strikeouts against three walks in the fall classic. All told, the 2009 first-overall pick posted a 3.24 ERA and 28.9% K% across 247 big-league appearances, all of which were starts. Needless to say, the baseball world has been robbed of several more seasons of one of the more electric pitchers of this era. Strasburg is planning to make an official announcement on Sept. 9 at Nationals Park.
--Brenton KempSource: Jesse Dougherty
June 3, 2023
Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Stephen Strasburg (ribs, shoulder) has been completely shut down from any rehab activities for more than a month, according to three people familiar with the situation, and there is increasing doubt that he'll ever pitch again. The 34-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in a game since last June, when he was trying to return from surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. Three people have described his complications as "severe nerve damage." His current plan is to rest and see if he can manage the nerve issues enough to make another attempt at pitching, but it doesn't look promising. Strasburg still has three seasons left on his seven-year, $245 million deal he signed in December of 2019. It's a disappointing situation for everyone involved, and Strasburg obviously shouldn't be rostered in fantasy formats at this point.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Washington Post - Jesse Dougherty
February 15, 2023
Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Stephen Strasburg (ribs, shoulder) began throwing off a mound a few weeks ago in D.C. and made it through his first throwing session with no issues, but he then reported the return of his nerve issue following his second session. Manger Dave Martinez said there's no timetable for Strasburg at this time. The 34-year-old oft-injured right-hander isn't with the rest of the team at spring training in Florida and is currently rehabbing in D.C. Strasburg had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in July of 2021 and was only able to make one start last year before being shut down again. More nerve-related issues isn't good, and it's becoming a question of whether his career will be able to continue. Strasburg has made only eight starts (31 1/3 innings) in the last three years. He's probably not going to be ready by Opening Day.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
February 2, 2023
Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Stephen Strasburg (ribs, shoulder) is throwing near his home in D.C., but his pitching prognosis remains unclear after thoracic outlet surgery. Strasburg had surgery in July of 2021 but made only one start last season before being shut down again. With just eight total starts over the last three seasons due to injuries, it's understandable if fantasy managers want nothing to do with the 34-year-old right-hander in 2023. We'll keep a close eye on his progress this spring, but it's a good bet that he won't be ready for the start of the regular season. You're probably better off taking a flier on a less injury-prone pitcher at the end of fantasy drafts this spring.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
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