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Stephen Strasburg: Shutdown is ‘something that I’m not happy about at all’

By Adam Kilgore,September 08, 2012

(Page 2 of 2)

“Business as usual,” Rizzo said. “It was a plan that we put in place back on Feb. 1. We’ve been true to the plan the whole way, and we haven’t wavered from it one bit. This is just a culmination of that plan. I think I believe in my heart that it’s the right thing to do for the player. The right thing to do for the player is the right thing to do for the franchise.”

The Nationals believe Strasburg has shown signs of fatigue in recent starts, that the finish on his breaking ball and “hop” on his fastball is lacking. Strasburg maintained he feels healthy enough to pitch.

“That’s typical of Tommy John rehab patients,” Rizzo said. “Often times, it’s not the velocity or the arm strength that’s the first sign of fatigue. It’s the delivery. Is he online, or is he falling off?”

Strasburg maintained he feels healthy enough to pitch.

“I feel physically great. That’s the thing,” Strasburg said. “But I think, it’s not just about one player. They want me to be here for many years to come. It’s an unfortunate situation. It’s a lot harder decision because we’ve won this year. I don’t think anybody would be talking about it if we were just finishing out the year in September.”

Impossible to avoid

The unprecedented situation led to an avalanche of debate. Though he tried to avoid the endless opining about the innings limit, Strasburg admitted it affected him.

“It bothered me a lot longer than” the past few starts, Strasburg said. “When everybody talks about it and that’s all you hear, it’s hard not to let it bother you.”

While Strasburg spoke with reporters in the Nationals’ clubhouse Saturday evening, he grew testy at times, his emotions still raw. One reporter asked if he had the letter to him that former pitcher Jim Kaat had written on MLB.com, which implored Strasburg to pitch against the team’s wishes.

“Who cares about that?” Strasburg said. “Everybody’s got something to say.”

Another reporter asked Strasburg how he would assess his season, mentioning his 15-6 record.

“You tell me,” Strasburg said. “Does that sound pretty good? Does that sound pretty good? Okay.”

Strasburg said he tried to lobby for more innings, to keep going, but the Nationals would not budge.

“I talked to them about it,” he said. “They seemed pretty firm. It’s not about me. It’s not about one player. The best thing I can do right now is be the best teammate I can.”

The Nationals will replace Strasburg in their rotation with John Lannan, a two-time opening day starter who spent most of the season at Class AAA Syracuse. Even though he will not pitch, Strasburg will remain with the Nationals. He has not been removed from the roster. He will spend each game watching from the dugout, wishing the Nationals were as willing to gamble on his future as he is.

“The easiest way of dealing with it was I just looked the other way,” Strasburg said. “I didn’t really worry about. I was always thinking things were going to change. There’s always going to be something that would change, and I would get the opportunity. But this is a decision they made well before the start of the year. I play for the Washington Nationals. I play to help this team win games. I’m not the one making the calls.”

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