The Washington Nationals are headed to the playoffs, but it’s likely that they’ll be without Stephen Strasburg. General manager Mike Rizzo announced on Tuesday that Strasburg will likely be inactive for the NLDS.
GM Mike Rizzo said Strasburg is unlikely to pitch in NLDS.
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) September 27, 2016
This is hardly surprising. Strasburg hasn’t pitched since September 7 and has dealt with injuries throughout the second half of the season.
With that said, this is a blow. Strasburg has been effective when on the mound this year, posting a 3.60 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and better than 11 strikeouts per nine innings.
A healthy Strasburg would certainly have been an advantage for Washington heading the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team with its own starting pitching issues.
We also have to wonder how effective Strasburg will be when he does return. The NLCS will not start until October 15. Should the Nationals qualify, Strasburg will have been on the shelf for more than a month at that point. The playoffs isn’t exactly an ideal time to ease someone into a groove. How sharp will be be then?
Certainly, this news was not unexpected. But with Wilson Ramos out for the year, as well Daniel Murphy and possibly Bryce Harper injured, it’s not exactly welcome news, either.