Stephen Strasburg pitched poorly Tuesday night. All six hits he allowed went for extra bases. Thomas Boswell goes into hyper worry mode:
Will Strasburg regain both power and precision with more work? That would be the conventional analysis of a normal pitcher. But everything about Strasburg is raised to a higher power, especially the strain that such extraordinary stuff must put on his arm. After throwing hard for more than six months – he arrived in Viera throwing smoke from the first day – is he starting to show wear? If so, how many such outings will the Nats allow before they start to think about shutting down the Strasburg Show for ’10?
Batters go into slumps, and the best pitchers throw poorly once in a while. When he can’t get his curve over the plate for three games, then it’s time to worry.
Remain calm. That’s what the Twins and Cubs said about Liriano and Woods before announcing surgery would be required. MRI’s don’t always capture it.
I remember Matt Clement pitching through a shoulder injury. MRI’s were negative, so said Red Sox docs. When he finally had surgery, they found 2 labrum tears and a torn rotator cuff, all missed by the MRI. Not that Clement is in Strasburgs class.
Beckett had labrum issues with the Marlins in his rookie season. He refused surgery, and he strengthened the shoulder in the offseason, and had many good years.
Pitching Strasburg again is foolish. just because the MRI was negative. Nats should shut him down, and begin an offseason of shoulder strengthening exercises after a bit of rest. Maybe he can avoid the knife, but ignoring the warning signs suggest he won’t.