MLB star Strasburg may never play again just nine games after $245m deal

04 June 2023 , 15:30

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Stephen Strasburg has not played since the June 9 2022 defeat to the Miami Marlins (Image: Getty Images)

Major League Baseball star Stephen Strasburg may never pitch again due to ’severe nerve damage’ sustained just nine games after signing a blockbuster contract with the Washington Nationals.

Strasburg’s 2023 season ended prematurely as the pitcher was unable to take part in any rehabilitation following surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome. The 34-year-old has not pitched in a game since last June.

The Nationals ace has a history of nerve issues. Back in February, he reported nerve pain in his neck and shoulder after an offseason throwing session at Nationals Park in Washington. Strasburg missed spring training and was placed on the 60-day injured list before Opening Day and while he is eligible to be removed, the Nationals have no plans for him to return to the fold.

The right-hander attempted to stay in shape by working out his lower body, but those plans were derailed by further pain, tingling and numbness. As a result, there are doubted Strasburg will ever pitch again according to The Washington Post.

Since winning World Series MVP in 2019 when Washington defeated the Houston Astros, Strasburg has pitched just 31 1/3 innings over three seasons. His last full campaign was the 2019 regular season, where Strasburg threw 209 innings and finished with an 18-6 record before singing a seven-year deal worth $245million with the Nationals.

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Strasburg only made one appearance in 2022, putting 4 2/3 innings in the June 9 loss to the Miami Marlins. The Post reported the Nationals are set to sit Strasburg out to let him rest and see if his nerve conditions improve.

Stephen Strasburg starred for the Washington Nationals in the 2019 World Series win over the Houston Astros (Getty Images)

The franchise have little choice with Strasburg given the team must pay the remaining three seasons of his contract. The combination of his age and injury history would make any contract insurance enormous - and that is assuming the Nationals could find a company willing to provide disability cover.

Strasburg - a three-time All-Star - did not attend the 7-2 Opening Day loss to the Atlanta Braves and does not travel with the team. He has reportedly not spent much time in the locker room before games, which led to manager Dave Martinez removing the pitcher from his injury reports.

Strasburg has spent the entirety of his 13-year major league career with the Nationals after the franchise selected him with the first overall pick in the 2009 draft out of San Diego State. He is 113-62 with a 3.24 ERA over 247 career starts while his 1,723 strikeouts rank first in Nationals franchise history.

Andrew Gamble