Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg Could Return, But Won’t Pitch
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Gary Bogdon/MLB Photos via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg will not pitch again for the team this season, but he could help the team in other ways.
The team is open to having Strasburg as a pinch hitter or some type of hitting role with the Nats.
“I check on him,” Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. “I told him yesterday, to give him something to think about, I said, ‘Keep taking batting practice. I might need your bat. If I can’t use your arm, I’ll use your bat’ …I’m serious, yeah.”
Strasburg has been seen shagging fly balls in the outfield, working by himself.
The 24-year-old was recently shut down by the team as part of his recovery from Tommy John Surgery. He made 28 starts, pitched 159.1 innings, and went 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA.
In 47 at-bats this season, Strasburg hit .277 with one home run and seven RBIs.
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