Skip to content

Nationals' Strasburg leaves early with stiff neck, will be re-evaluated Saturday

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg hoped to erase mounting concern about his health with Friday's start against the Cincinnati Reds.

Instead, the 26-year-old right-hander was removed from his outing at Great American Ball Park in the second inning due to tightness in his left trapezius muscle. Though he made it through the first inning without issue, Strasburg appeared to grimace after unloading his 16th pitch of the evening and was removed from the contest following a brief meeting with a team trainer and manager Matt Williams with nobody out in the bottom of the second.

Strasburg, who surrendered a solo shot to Joey Votto in the first inning, was replaced by right-hander Taylor Jordan.

"It's pretty stiff," Strasburg told reporters after the Nationals' 5-2 loss . "I don't know why. I felt fine in the first inning. Once I sat down before the second, it kind of tightened up a little bit. It was hard for me to turn my head to the left."

Despite undergoing a chiropractic adjustment earlier this month after shoulder discomfort forced him to an early exit from a May 5 start against the Miami Marlins, Strasburg's abysmal performance of late has fueled plenty of speculation about his health. In four starts since his abbreviated outing in Miami, Strasburg has allowed 16 earned runs while allowing five homers in just 14 innings (10.29 ERA).

"It's just something I've got to pull through and know it's going to get better eventually," Strasburg said.

Strasburg, who owns a 6.55 ERA through 10 starts thus far, will be re-evaluated Saturday, according to MASN's Dan Kolko.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox