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The 35-year-old Strasburg’s decision to step down comes after a 13-year period that, in many ways, reflects the franchise’s rise from last place in the National League East to World Series champions to its current status in the league’s turmoil. It was the end of his career. Rebuilding.
His long-anticipated retirement also brought some clarity to his seven-year, $245 million contract, signed in December 2019 after the team won the World Series. Strasburg has pitched just 4 2/3 innings since undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in 2021, but will be paid in full for the duration of his contract. He has agreed to defer some of his remaining salary, officials said. The extent of the postponement is unknown.
The Nationals did not respond to messages seeking comment Saturday night. Mr. Strasberg declined to comment.
Strasburg, the No. 1 draft pick in 2009, started his career with some fanfare but was ultimately derailed by injuries. The treble was the brilliance of baseball. Infrequent was defined by frequent medical updates, missed starts, and being placed on injured reserve. Strasburg, a three-time All-Star, starts 247 games and leaves with a career record of 113 wins, 62 losses and a 3.24 ERA. He struck out 1,723 batters in 1,470 innings.
His MLB debut in 2010 became legendary. The 21-year-old arrived amid considerable hype and greeted the occasion on a June night at Nationals Park, striking out 14 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in front of a sold-out crowd. “It was just a great night for Washington baseball,” then-manager Jim Riggleman said.
His start became an unofficial holiday called “Strasmas”, celebrated by believers throughout the district. Twelve of them were injured that first summer, followed by the first of many. The right-hander required Tommy John surgery, which was put under the knife that August and cost him nearly the entire 2011 season.
But his presence in the rotation was central to the Nationals becoming a perennial contender. From 2012 to 2019, Strasburg averaged nearly 28 starts, averaged 93 wins and reached the playoffs five times, where the Aces shined the most. His postseason record is a 1.46 ERA in 55 1/3 innings pitched, including his six-game appearance in the 2019 World Series.
That October, he was a 6-foot-5 right-hander. He pitched three scoreless innings in relief in the National League Wild Card Game and had a 12-strikeout performance in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. Strasburg pitched 8 1/3 innings in Game 6 of the World Series, his final start of the 2019 postseason. He didn’t give up a run after the first inning. The next night, the Nationals won Game 7.
When Strasburg was healthy, he lived up to the hype. He started 34 games in 2014 and struck out 242 batters. He was named an All-Star for the first time in 2012 and again in 2016 and 2017.
But his health was always weak.
Strasburg last appeared in a game in June 2022, but pitched just 31 1/3 innings after the 2019 World Series.
The final setback came in 2021 when Strasburg underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. The surgery involved removing one rib and two neck muscles. He then tried to return but was unsuccessful. He felt pain and tingling in his shoulders and neck after the last start of his career, which subsequently put him out of action.
He felt discomfort again ahead of the 2023 season and did not participate in spring training. His retirement plans by August 2023 were known, but neither the team nor Strasburg made an official announcement. Mark Lerner, the club’s managing principal owner, said in a statement in September that Strasburg would receive his back pay, but added that he looked forward to seeing him in spring training. Ta. As months passed and details became hazy, fans were all waiting.
Even after he retires, questions will continue to surround his health and whether he will be able to handle the daily chores of daily life, such as picking up his young child.
There is also the question of how the team will honor the right-handed player who brought him the greatest heights. Strasburg’s retirement has been expected for months, and the delay between learning of his plans and making an announcement on the matter is a sign of conflict between the pitcher and the only club he has ever known. It seemed to indicate the possibility of a rift.
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