A news conference is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 9 at
Nationals Park, before the Nationals play the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The first pick in the 2009 MLB draft, Strasburg pitched just 31⅓ innings after signing
a seven-year, $245 million contract in December 2019. And since he underwent surgery for
thoracic outlet syndrome in 2021 — a procedure that included the removal of a rib and two neck muscles — he logged just 4⅔ innings,
all in one start that led to more pain and tingling in his shoulder and neck.
The financial implications of Strasburg’s retirement were not immediately known Thursday afternoon. After this season, Strasburg’s contract had an average annual value of $35 million for three more years. The Nationals do not have disability insurance on Strasburg’s contract, according to multiple people familiar with the situation.
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“For Strasburg and his family, I’m not going to make any comments about what’s going on,” Nationals Manager Dave Martinez said at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. “What I do know is that he means a lot to me, this organization and the fans. So I’ll just keep it at that.”
“I heard something about it, but I know nothing’s official yet,” said starter Patrick Corbin, Strasburg’s teammate since 2019. “But just to speak of Stephen himself, that was a big reason why I came to this organization — to play with him and Max [Scherzer]. It’s been tough I’m sure for him and his family. The guys in this clubhouse miss him, and we wish nothing but the best for him and what’s to come. But he’s a big reason why I’m here and a big reason why we have a championship ring.”
A three-time all-star, Strasburg leaves the sport with a 113-62 record, a 3.24 ERA and 1,723 strikeouts in 247 regular season starts, each of them with Washington. In the playoffs, when he often shined the brightest, he had a 1.46 ERA in 55⅓ innings, none more critical
than the six appearances that pushed the Nationals to a World Series championship in 2019. But because of injuries, he made 30 or more starts just three times in 13 years. Since his rookie season was cut short by an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, every high of his career was clouded by the frustrations of frequent health issues. TOS, emerging in his early 30s,
proved to be the one he couldn’t overcome.
Strasburg, 35, continues to deal with “severe nerve damage,” according to three people with knowledge of his situation. He has struggled with mundane tasks, such as lifting his young daughters or opening a door with his right hand. Last summer, when he tried and failed to return —
making three rehab outings before that final start in Miami — Strasburg sometimes couldn’t stand for long without his hand going completely numb. To manage it, he would lie down on his side and press his hand against his chest.
Those close to him quietly worried more about his life beyond pitching again. And Strasburg kept grappling with his baseball mortality.