The Washington Nationals are running away with the NL East, holding an 8.5 game lead over the second place Miami Marlins with just 39 games left to play. But the Nationals rotation took a hit on Monday when the team placed Stephen Strasburg on the DL with a sore right elbow.
Major news: Strasburg placed on DL with sore elbow. AJ Cole recalled and will start tonight.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 22, 2016
EVERYBODY FREAK OUT!
Strasburg’s last start was on Wednesday in Denver, and the Rockies took him to the woodshed. He recorded just five outs, allowing nine runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out just three hitters, a season-low.
His last three starts, all losses, have been poor – his ERA rose from 2.63 to 3.59, as Strasburg gave up 19 runs on 24 hits in 11 2/3 innings, walking six and striking out 18. His velocity has also dropped, though not substantially, since the All-Star Break.
It’s probably not *that* serious, however – Joel Sherman is reporting that this is just precautionary to get Strasburg healthy heading into the playoffs.
Source: Strasburg has had touch of inflammation last few GS would pitch thru if playoffs, #Nationals see as chance to get him right with DL
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 22, 2016
This season, Strasburg has thrown 145 1/3 innings – still far below his totals in 2012, 2013, and 2014, though already 18 innings more than his 2015 total of 127 1/3 innings. He had Tommy John surgery in 2010, and signed an seven-year, $175 million extension with the Nationals earlier this year to end his free agency before it began.
