The Nationals avoid the worst possible news on Stephen Strasburg's elbow
Stephen Strasburg has been diagnosed with a strained flexor mass, according to reports. However, there is no ligament damage.
#Nats trainer Paul Lessard says Strasburg has strained flexor mass, "the ligament is good." Rest, rehab comes next. No immediate timetable.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 8, 2016
Strasburg diagnosed with flexor strain, but no ligament damage, #Nats say, with no timetable on return
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 8, 2016
Strasburg left his Wednesday night start after throwing just 42 pitches after feeling what Nationals manager Dusty Baker called “a pinch in the back of his elbow.” He had just been activated from the disabled list after not pitching since Aug. 17 because of elbow soreness.
An MRI exam on Thursday revealed the extent of the damage, though the Nationals have to be somewhat relieved that the words “ligament replacement” aren’t being uttered again. Especially after they signed Strasburg to a seven-year, $175 million extension this past May — just five months before he was set to become a free agent this offseason.
Strasburg, 28, had Tommy John surgery in September 2010 that forced him to miss most of the 2011 season (he returned for five September starts). And he has had various other minor injuries since then, including a back injury that required a separate DL stint earlier this season.
In 24 starts this season, Strasburg is 15-4 with a 3.60 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 147.2 innings. He won his first 13 decisions but struggled mightily (19 earned runs on 24 hits and six walks over 11 2/3 innings) in three starts before hitting the disabled list in August.
The Nationals have a comfortable 8 ½ game lead over the second-place Mets in the NL East and still have an ace in Max Scherzer, but they now face the prospect of not having their co-ace available during the postseason.
