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This Just in: Stephen Strasburg (Hand) Scratched from Today’s Start
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The Washington Nationals were slated to start Stephen Strasburg on Saturday night against the New York Yankees. But the right-handers’ debut in 2020 will not happen as planned. Instead, the Nationals scratched Strasbourg on Saturday afternoon due to a “nervous problem in his right hand” that required an injection, manager Dave Martinez told reporters, including Jessica Camerato of MLB.com.
Right-hander Erick Fedde will take the mound in place of Strasbourg. It is unclear whether Strasburg will require a season on the disabled list. Martinez described it as “day to day,” according to Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic.
This would have been Strasbourg’s first significant appearance since Game 6 of the 2019 World Series. In the time since then, he signed a seven-year, $ 245 million contract with the Nationals to keep him in town for the foreseeable future.
Strasburg, 32, was reportedly making his season debut. Last season, he made 33 starts and had a 3.32 ERA (138 ERA +) and a strikeout ratio of 4.48 on foot.
Fedde, 27, has made 35 major league appearances, including 26 starts. He compiled a 5.39 ERA (83 ERA +) and a strike-to-foot ratio of 1.62 in those games. His arsenal includes a 90’s low sinker and a curved ball that lost the bats in nearly a third of the shots against him. He was expected to play a bullpen role this season.
The Nationals have received unexpected news before their two games this year. On Thursday, Juan Soto tested positive for COVID-19. Soto missed the first game and it is unclear when he will join the team.
In other news, the Nationals were reportedly close to signing free agent public service player Josh Harrison before Saturday night’s game. Harrison was released by the Philadelphia Phillies in early summer after failing to be on his 30-player roster. He spent last season with the Detroit Tigers, but was limited to 36 games due to injury.
