Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg would not make Monday’s start against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of an upper-back strain, per Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com. It is unclear when he’ll return to the mound.
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Baker Comments on Strasburg’s Injury
Monday, June 20
“We don’t think it’s serious,” said Nationals manager Dusty Baker, via Zuckerman, who added the “hope” is that Strasburg will make his next start in six days.
Baker said Strasburg first started suffering from a back strain working out a couple of days ago, per Zuckerman.
Nationals Have the Depth to Overcome Possible Strasburg Absence
Yusmeiro Petit made the emergency start in place of Strasburg.
As for Strasburg, this is another injury for Washington to worry about. The right-hander tied for the National League lead with 34 starts in 2014, but he was limited to 23 last year. What’s more, he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2010.
The 2012 All-Star posted a 3.46 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 2015. In 2014, he struck out 242 batters. He is one of the most effective strikeout pitchers in the majors when healthy. Until last year, he’d also never finished with an ERA above 3.16.
This season, he has been one of the Nationals’ best players with a 2.90 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 93 innings. The result is a 10-0 record through 14 starts.
Washington ace Max Scherzer will have to carry the load atop the rotation until Strasburg returns. Scherzer won the 2013 American League Cy Young Award and posted a 2.79 ERA and 0.92 WHIP last season in his first year with the Nationals.
Washington can also turn to Gio Gonzalez, a veteran southpaw who has been in the league since 2008, and youngsters Joe Ross and Tanner Roark, who have ERAs of 3.13 and 3.14, respectively.
While they give the first-place Nationals depth, the club could use the dominant Strasburg as it hopes to live up to expectations following its midsummer collapse in 2015.
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