NEW YORK — Stephen Strasburg’s future in 2023 is uncertain after a string of injuries that restricted his playing time to one during the season, Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Tuesday.
“It’s still a little bit of a mystery,” Rizzo spoke regarding his 2019 World Series MVP before the Nationals were scheduled to play a doubleheader against the New York Mets. “I am sure he’s doing his best to strengthen his core as well as the other areas in his physique. We’ll be watching. Given the kind of procedure and rehab has been done to him, it’s not familiar to us. It’s not known to many people. We’ll have to learn it day-by-day.”
The right-handed pitcher, who is 34 years old, has thrown the equivalent of 31 1/3 innings in just eight appearances throughout the last three seasons. He underwent carpal tunnel surgery in 2020 and required an operation to treat thoracic outlet syndrome in 2021.
After only one game in 2022, he was put back on the injured list after a stress reaction to the ribs.
“We’ll have to see where the rehab process takes us later on in the winter,” Rizzo stated. “We’re going to be watching his progress. We’re in the area and we’ll be able to see him on a regular basis and will see the place he’s in when he enters Spring Training mode.”
Strasburg is a Harrisburg native who played a part in the 2010 campaign at Harrisburg as a player of the Senators and is a three-time All-Star. He signed a contract worth $245 million following his contribution to helping Washington to win a title in the 2019 season.
He’s 113-62, with a 3.24 ERA for his career.
A meeting with reporters near the close of a tough season, Washington started the week with a Nationals-worst record of 55-104. They also traded the team’s top player the Outfielder Juan Soto, at the deadline for trades — Rizzo discussed the possibility of conducting “an autopsy of the organization.”
“I regard the season as a complete disappointment. I’ve always maintained that you’re what your record shows you to be and our record suggests we’re not the best team currently in the league. It’s not difficult to believe this,” Rizzo said. “The flip side of that is we’re in a process.”
Rizzo and Manager Dave Martinez were given contract extensions during the season. Martinez announced on Tuesday that his whole coaching team would return next season.