Nationals' Stephen Strasburg Reportedly Will Retire After Complications From Injury
August 24, 2023
It's been over a year since Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been seen on the mound, and he's reportedly now ready to call it a career.
According to Jesse Dougherty and Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, Strasburg is set to retire from MLB because he has been unable to overcome complications from thoracic outlet syndrome.
After undergoing surgery that included the removal of a rib and two neck muscles to address his thoracic outlet syndrome in 2021, Strasburg made one start in June 2022 and pitched 4.2 innings before being shut down again. It was reported earlier this summer that the 35-year-old has "severe nerve damage" and experienced pain, tingling and numbness while trying to stay in shape.
The No. 1 pick in the 2009 MLB draft, Strasburg was a massively-hyped prospect who quickly lived up to expectations.
When he made his major league debut in 2010, he set a Nationals franchise record with 14 strikeouts. He went on to become a three-time All-Star who helped Washington win a World Series title in 2019. He was named World Series MVP after earning two wins in his two starts and recording 14 strikeouts while allowing just 12 hits.
The Nationals rewarded Strasburg with a seven-year, $245 million contract that offseason, but that deal precipitated his decline. The right-handed hurler has thrown just 31.1 innings since signing that deal.
Bob Nightengale @BNightengaleStephen Strasburg will continue be paid $35 million annually through 2026 (with about $11.4M deferred each year).<br>He then will receive $26.6M in 2027, 2028 and 2029 in his owed deferred payments.<br>The contract was not insured, leaving the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nats?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nats</a> on the hook for its entirety. <a href="https://t.co/TIluHqzmPj">https://t.co/TIluHqzmPj</a>
Strasburg's career has been plagued by injuries. His rookie season was cut short by an elbow issue that required Tommy John surgery. He's made 30 or more starts in a season just three times in 13 years.
Strasburg ends his career with a 113-62 record, a 3.24 ERA and 1,723 strikeouts in 247 regular season starts. He excelled in the postseason with a 1.46 ERA in 55.1 innings.
Per Dougherty and Svrluga, a news conference is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 9 at Nationals Park prior to the team's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in which an official retirement announcement from Strasburg is expected.