Staff Writer
Stephen Strasburg is one of the most explosive 24 year olds to have pitched on an MLB mound. Unfortunately, his 2012 regular season has come to an abrupt end. The Washington Nationals organization announced Sunday, September 9, that Strasburg won’t start for the remainder of the season. As of now, there is uncertainty as to whether or not he will play in the post season.
In his MLB debut, Strasburg pitched seven innings, allowed two runs, no walks, and recorded 14 strikeouts. He was also the first pitcher in history to strike out at least 11 batters without issuing any walks in his professional debut. A month after his debut, he was struck with an inflamed right shoulder. He returned to the lineup, on August 10, 2011, but 11 days later he was removed from the lineup yet again with what was thought to be another arm injury. Six days following his second removal from the mound, the National’s organization announced Strasburg was suffering from a torn ulnar collateral ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery, and was to be out 12 to 18 months for rehab.
Washington is currently in first place in MLB and is five games ahead of Atlanta in the NL East. The big question is: will they be able to sustain this comfortable position with Strasburg out? Although he wasn't mentally in his last two starts, allowing nine runs and five runs, he's a very big asset to a team like this. Everyone has their droughts and off times of the season, but it doesn't mean he isn’t fully capable of playing.
The
Nationals have come a long way from their preseason expectations. Although they are five games ahead in their
division, they're only two games ahead in their conference, which may not be
the most comfortable position to sit Strasburg.
Even if they continue to play as dominant without Strasburg, they have a
very good chance of being in the playoff picture again, but why waste an
opportunity?
However,
the Nationals do have a method behind their madness. Undergoing Tommy John surgery at such a young
age could possibly affect Strasburg's long term play and they want to make sure
he stays as healthy as possible. Here's
the catch: if Strasburg sits for the
last month and a half of the season, he may not be full throttle for the
playoffs, and that's if he even plays in the playoffs.
Although
some fans may respect the Nationals decision, I, for one, do not. It's hard to find a pitcher of Strasburg's
caliber at his age and to have him miss out on the last month of the season is
absurd. If Strasburg doesn't play in the
playoffs, the Nationals are kissing their World Series hopes goodbye.
