Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg is headed to the disabled list, and the injury that he’s dealing with will likely make the team and its fans very nervous.
Strasburg was placed on the disabled list on Monday with what is being characterized as right elbow soreness.
#Nats recall RHP A.J. Cole and place RHP Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day DL with right elbow soreness. Cole will start Mon at BAL.
— William Ladson (@washingnats) August 22, 2016
There is not yet any indication as to how serious the elbow issue is. Strasburg is, of course, about six years removed from Tommy John surgery. For what it’s worth, Joel Sherman of the New York Post indicated that the DL stint is more precautionary than anything else.
Source: Strasburg has had touch of inflammation last few GS would pitch thru if playoffs, #Nationals see as chance to get him right with DL
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 22, 2016
Source: Strasburg elbow issue is not structural. #Nationals being pro-active with DL stint to get right for stretch/playoffs.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 22, 2016
Strasburg had a 14.66 ERA in his previous three starts, allowing 24 hits and 19 runs in 11.2 innings. That stretch culminated in a nightmarish outing last Wednesday in Colorado that saw him give up nine runs in just 1.2 innings. The organization will be holding its breath on this one, particularly after committing a lot of money to Strasburg back in May.
