Strasburg won’t return this season
Stephen Strasburg's season is over.
The Washington Nationals transferred the star right-hander to the 60-day disabled list Saturday. Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Strasburg will undergo carpal tunnel surgery next week.
Strasburg, last year's World Series MVP, was first placed on the injured list Aug. 15 with carpal tunnel neuritis of the right hand.
“Hopefully surgery goes well,” Martinez said. “The biggest thing is that surgery relieves anything he has and he's able to rehab and come back strong next spring training. Long-term goal, that's what we're hoping for.”
The 32-year-old pitcher signed a seven-year, $245 million contract with Washington during the offseason. He was 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in two starts in 2020. Strasburg was scratched from his first two scheduled starts, and left his Aug. 14 start after only two-thirds of an inning.
“He took a shot; obviously it didn't work,” Martinez said. “He probably could have taken another shot but we just needed to get it fixed. We don't want to prolong anything.”
The move allowed Washington to add right-hander Wil Crowe to the 40-man roster. Crowe, a second-round pick in the 2017 draft, will make his major league debut by starting the second game of the Nationals' doubleheader on Saturday against the Miami Marlins. Crowe will serve as Washington's 29th man.
Phillies wheeling and dealing: The Philadelphia Phillies got an early jump on the trade deadline, moving to fortify their ineffective bullpen by acquiring relievers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree from the Boston Red Sox.
Philadelphia also will receive $815,166 and will either receive more cash or a player to be named from the Red Sox, who obtained right-handers Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold.
Earlier Friday, the Phillies acquired right-handed reliever David Hale from the New York Yankees, sending back righty relief prospect Addison Russ.
Phillies relievers came into Friday with a combined 8.07 ERA this season, the worst in the majors by nearly two runs.
The deadline to make a deal in this pandemic-shortened season is set for Aug. 31.