Stephen Strasburg’s first start since returning from the disabled list did not last long on Wednesday as the Washington Nationals ace injured his elbow in the third inning and was removed from the game. Today, they can breathe a slight sight of relief-but probably still won’t relax quite yet.
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Washington’s trainer came out and Strasburg departed, covering his mouth with his glove as he reached the dugout.
What Strasburg does have is a right flexor mass strain. The 28-year-old’s start Wednesday was his first since coming off the DL.
The Nationals said Strasburg would get an MRI and didn’t elaborate on the severity of his injury. He missed three weeks with right elbow soreness before returning off the disabled list on Wednesday, but the Nats say this new injury is unrelated.
Carlos Carrasco overcame a home run and an apparent bug in his eye to pitch into the eighth inning, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Houston Astros 6-5 on Wednesday night.
Inciarte is hitting.371 in the second half thanks to a 19-game hitting streak in late July through early August, and his current streak – during which he is batting.432.
I’m no doctor-and I don’t believe Carroll is either, for what it’s worth-but I tend to agree with the assessment here.
There has been a missing face on the field lately for the Washington Nationals, Stephen Strasburg.
Lessard said that the ulnar collateral ligament – the one that leads to Tommy John surgery – was intact. It would be such a shame for injuries to ruin young Strasburg’s career. Among pitchers with at least 140 innings pitched, Strasburg boasts the third-best FIP in the majors behind just Noah Syndergaard and Jose Fernandez. I wrote at the time that, because of the strong National League and the Nationals’ roster composition, even a precautionary DL trip was cause for alarm. While they’d ideally want Strasburg back for the playoffs, they now hold an 8.5 game lead in the National League East.
Asher, acquired from the Rangers in the trade for Cole Hamels, ended last season in the Phillies’ starting rotation and went 0-6 with a 9.31 ERA in seven starts.
In the midst of a pennant race that is going firmly in their favor, the Nationals may not need Strasburg now.
Throw the Los Angeles Dodgers in that conversation, as well.
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Strasburg wanted to pitch through the pain, he said, which he had been doing since the All-Star break despite decreasing range of motion in his arm following each start. The same teams finish their series in an afternoon start.
