Stephen Strasburg will be shut-down September 12 after starting against New York Mets-MLB Update
Finally the exact timeline of the Stephen Strasburg shut-down appears to be known. With the decision by the Washington Nationals' management that the starter has left only two more starts after Sunday’s match, he is going to throw his last game against the
New York Mets on September 12.
The General Manager Mike Rizzo is steadfast in sticking to his decision believing that the player’s development is more important than the present situation of the team and that he does not want to do anything at the expense of the long-term health of Strasburg.
Ever since the announcement about the shut-down has been made, Nationals' management has faced fierce criticism.
In light of the fact that they are one of the most successful teams in the season, they are prone to slipping without Strasburg. The sustainability of their excellent performance requires the presence of quality starters. With the playoffs around the corner,
keeping the momentum intact has become even more important.
Therefore, with Strasburg missing crucial games, the Nationals will be without a pitcher who can retire batters and win matches for the team single-handedly.
The critics maintain by shutting him down at this stage of the season the Nationals are compromising over the glory that they are ideally poised to achieve this year.
Meanwhile, Strasburg is equally disappointed and has stated that he will have a meeting with the team officials regarding the shut-down. However he has claimed that right now he is more concerned about keeping his present success in the season afloat and
throws quality innings whenever given opportunity.
“I’m just focused on the next start,” Strasburg said. “That’s all I can really focus on right now. We’re going to have to have a sit-down and talk here soon. . . . I just don’t have anything to say. I’m in it with these guys, and we still got a long way
to go. But I’m going to fight with them until the end.”
Regardless of the protest that Strasburg may put up for earning the permission to continue to throw it seems that the GM is not going to change his mind.
“I don’t think he’s going to fight me on it,” Rizzo said. “I know he’s going to be unhappy about it. He’s an ultimate competitor. But we’ve taken that out of his hands.”
As the Nationals play the games without Strasburg in the rotation, it will be interesting to observe as to what extent the team’s performance will be affected.
Tags: