Stephen Strasburg’s first attempt at a 2022 comeback lasted only one game.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters Monday that Strasburg would not make his scheduled start Tuesday after feeling discomfort during his bullpen session on Saturday.
Martinez said Strasburg will be placed back on the injured list, where he’s spent the majority of the past two and a half seasons due to multiple different injuries. The move was expected to be made after the Nationals’ game against the Braves on Monday night.
Strasburg got an MRI on Monday, and the team was still waiting for the results, Martinez added.
“This is something that’s tough because he worked so hard to come back,” Martinez said. “But hopefully it’s something we can work through, but we won’t know more until we get the images back.”
While the details of Strasburg’s discomfort are unknown, the setback is a blow to the 33-year-old right-hander and the organization that is paying him $35 million a year.
Since winning the 2019 World Series MVP award and signing a seven-year, $245 million contract, Strasburg has started only eight games — two in 2020, five in 2021 and one this season. His 2020 campaign was shortened due to carpal tunnel surgery, while the 6-foot-5 righty’s 2021 season was cut short due to thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.
“This thoracic outlet thing, you just don’t know. We don’t know if this is that same issue or not yet,” Martinez said. “We’ll know more as soon as we get the MRI. But it stinks, because he was all excited to be back. But, hopefully, it’s just a minor setback.”
Strasburg returned to a big league mound on Thursday for his first start in the majors since June 1, 2021. He took his lumps, allowing eight hits and seven runs in 42/3 innings, but he struck out five batters and displayed solid movement on his off-speed pitches. However, his fastball velocity was just above 90 mph, a few ticks slower than what he was reported to be throwing during his minor-league rehab assignment.
Martinez said Strasburg “felt good” after his start last week but that he felt “some discomfort” during his bullpen session over the weekend.
“He said he didn’t feel right, some discomfort,” Martinez said. “We’re going to be ultra careful with him, as I’ve said all along.”
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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