Stephen Strasburg Injury Update: What Happened to Stephen Strasburg?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Jul 11, 2023
Who is Stephen Strasburg?
Stephen James Strasburg, born on July 20, 1988, is a professional baseball pitcher from the United States. He currently plays for the Washington Nationals in Major League Baseball (MLB). Strasburg was chosen as the first overall pick by the Nationals in the 2009 MLB draft. He made his debut in the major leagues in 2010 and has been selected as an All-Star three times.
During his time at West Hills High School, Strasburg showed great talent but lacked refinement as a baseball player. He went on to play college baseball for the San Diego State Aztecs, where he emerged as one of the top collegiate pitchers in the country. Strasburg also represented the United States national baseball team and won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Name
Stephen Strasburg
Net Worth( 2023)
$100 Million Dollars
Profession
Baseball pitcher
Date of Birth
20 July 1988
Age
34 years old
Height
196 cm
Weight
107 kg (235 lbs)
Birthplace
San Diego, California, United States
Nationality
American
Stephen Strasburg Injury Update
Stephen Strasburg is currently facing a significant issue of nerve damage, which has led to him being prohibited from engaging in any physical activities for an indefinite period. Although he is technically eligible to make a comeback once he recovers, the process of rebuilding his throwing capabilities from scratch indicates that it is improbable for us to witness Strasburg's return before July, and even that estimate might be overly optimistic.
To elaborate, Strasburg is currently grappling with severe nerve damage, a condition that can have a debilitating impact on his physical abilities. As a result, he has been instructed to refrain from participating in any form of physical activity until further notice. This precautionary measure aims to ensure that he has sufficient time to recover and prevent exacerbation of the nerve damage.
What Happened to Stephen Strasburg?
As already mentioned above, Stephen Strasburg is currently facing a significant issue of nerve damage, which has led to him being prohibited from engaging in any physical activities for an indefinite period.
Given the nature of the injury, the road to Strasburg's return is expected to be a lengthy and arduous one. The process involves gradually rebuilding his throwing skills, beginning from the very basics.
This means he will have to start from square one, reacquainting himself with the fundamental mechanics and techniques of throwing a baseball. Such a meticulous approach is essential to minimize the risk of re-injury and allow Strasburg to regain his peak performance level.
Considering the extensive rehabilitation process ahead, it is unlikely that we will witness Strasburg's return to the field before the month of July. In fact, even that estimated timeframe may be too optimistic. Nerve damage requires careful management and patience, as rushing the recovery could lead to setbacks and further complications. The priority will be to ensure Strasburg's long-term health and well-being, rather than rushing him back into action prematurely.
Stephen Strasburg Injury
Stephen Strasburg, the experienced right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, has been sidelined from game action since June of the previous year. His return to the big-league rotation remains uncertain as he continues to deal with "severe nerve damage," according to Jesse Dougherty's report.
Strasburg, who will turn 35 in July, has faced multiple injury concerns since being named the World Series MVP in 2019. Following that championship season, the Nationals signed him to a lucrative seven-year, $245 million contract extension that extends through the 2026 season. However, since then, Strasburg has been limited to just eight starts and 31 1/3 innings for Washington, recording an ERA of 6.89 during that span.
His injury troubles began with carpal tunnel neuritis in his pitching hand in August 2020, followed by shoulder inflammation and a neck strain. In August 2021, Strasburg underwent surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome, a complex condition that can potentially end a pitcher's career. His recovery was further hampered by a stress reaction in his ribcage and a recurrence of thoracic outlet syndrome in March of this year.
Now, nerve issues have added to the complications, raising doubts about whether Strasburg will be able to return to the mound. Regardless of the path forward, he is owed the remainder of his $35 million salary for this season and a total of $105 million from 2024 to 2026.
Stephen Strasburg Injury News
The Washington Post, Stephen Strasburg, aged 34, has been unable to engage in any rehabilitation activities for over a month due to "severe nerve damage." These complications are a result of thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that has caused him to miss significant playing time in 2022 and 2023. In an effort to alleviate his symptoms, Strasburg underwent surgery in July 2021 to remove his right rib and two neck muscles.
Although Strasburg is technically eligible to be removed from the 60-day injured list this week, The Washington Post states that he plans to focus on resting and managing his nerve issues before considering a return to pitching. The outlook for his return is described as unfavorable.
During the winter, Strasburg reportedly attempted multiple comebacks, progressing to several bullpen sessions. However, during one session in late January, he experienced discomfort in his right side. Despite feeling well enough to start "light" rehabilitation activities at Nationals Park earlier in the season, Strasburg's right side became strained, causing symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness. As a result, he was shut down at the end of April.
To maintain his lower-body strength and activate his trunk, Strasburg engaged in lower-body exercises in mid-April. Unfortunately, even these lighter workouts proved too strenuous for his right side, exacerbating his symptoms and leading to his shutdown.
How did Stephen Strasburg get Injured?
Stephen Strasburg's string of injuries started with carpal tunnel neuritis in his pitching hand in August 2020. This condition affected the nerves in his hand, leading to discomfort and reduced functionality. Following that, he experienced inflammation in his shoulder, which further hampered his ability to pitch effectively. Subsequently, Strasburg suffered a neck strain, adding to his ongoing injury concerns.
In an attempt to address his persistent health issues, Strasburg underwent surgery in August 2021 to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. This condition is characterized by compression or irritation of the nerves, blood vessels, or muscles in the thoracic outlet, an area between the base of the neck and the armpit.
Thoracic outlet syndrome can be a complex and challenging condition to diagnose and treat, and it has the potential to end pitching careers if not effectively managed.
By undergoing surgery, Strasburg aimed to alleviate the symptoms and improve his overall condition. However, the successful recovery and long-term implications of such surgery can vary from case to case. Given the complexity and unpredictability of thoracic outlet syndrome, the outcome and impact on Strasburg's pitching career remained uncertain.
Stephen Strasburg Injury Update-FAQs
Stephen Strasburg was born on July 20, 1988.
Stephen Strasburg currently plays for the Washington Nationals in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Stephen Strasburg has been selected as an All-Star three times.
Stephen Strasburg has faced a series of injuries, including carpal tunnel neuritis, shoulder inflammation, neck strain, and thoracic outlet syndrome.
Thoracic outlet syndrome is a condition characterized by the compression or irritation of nerves, blood vessels, or muscles in the thoracic outlet, an area between the base of the neck and the armpit.
Stephen Strasburg underwent surgery in July 2021 to remove his right rib and two neck muscles in an effort to alleviate symptoms related to thoracic outlet syndrome.
Stephen Strasburg is currently facing a significant issue of nerve damage, which has led to him being prohibited from engaging in any physical activities for an indefinite period.