Stephen Strasburg unlikely to pitch in NLDS

Washington Nationals All-Star right-hander Stephen Strasburg may still be on track for a return at some point this postseason, but it doesn’t appear likely to happen in the Divisional Series.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said on Tuesday that Strasburg is unlikely to pitch in the NLDS, per Chase Hughes of Comcast SportsNet.

GM Mike Rizzo said Strasburg is unlikely to pitch in NLDS.

— Chase Hughes (@chasehughesCSN) September 27, 2016

Strasburg, 28, is currently out indefinitely with a flexor mass strain in his pitching elbow. It’s his second time dealing with elbow discomfort in just the last month alone, which is cause for concern given his history of arm troubles.

By way of winning the NL East, Washington has earned an automatic berth in the NLDS, which is slated to begin on October 7. With the Chicago Cubs clinching the best record in baseball, the Nationals are set to play the NL West-winning Los Angeles Dodgers in that first round of playoff action. Though Strasburg himself seems to be unsure of his own availability, his return to the mound as a situational postseason weapon could still be very much in play should the team advance past the Boys in Blue.

H/T Rotoworld