Source – Nationals World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg is retiring

Washington Nationals quarterback Stephen Strasburg has decided to retire, ending a career that began as the No. 1 draft pick, included the 2019 World Series MVP award and was derailed by injuries, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to ESPN Thursday.

Strasbourg’s decision to retire was first reported by Washington PostAn official announcement is expected on September 9.

“When he was healthy, he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game,” longtime teammate Ryan Zimmerman told The Associated Press Thursday. “You would be hard pressed to find someone who worked harder than him. He deserves to be celebrated because he was a very special player. You could say he lived up to, or even exceeded, what was expected of rejection.” choose one.”

Strasbourg, who turned 35 last month, has had his career derailed by injuries, making just eight appearances since leading the Nationals to their first title in franchise history in 2019. He underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, a nerve and blood disorder. , involving the removal of a rib and neck muscles.

The right-hander hasn’t played since June 9, 2022 – his only start of the season, which lasted 4 innings before returning to the injured list. He’s only thrown 528 pitches in the major leagues since signing a $245 million, seven-year contract in December 2019 and didn’t show up for spring training earlier this year after suffering a setback.

“I’m sure it’s been tough for him and his family and the guys at this club miss him and we only wish the best for him and what’s to come,” national team player Patrick Corbin said on Thursday. “It’s a big reason we’re here and a big reason we got the championship ring.”

Boasting a 100-mph fastball, Strasburg was billed as a generational talent before becoming the first pick in the 2009 draft out of San Diego State, and became one of the faces of the Washington franchise after his highly anticipated debut in 2010. He hit 14 batters and two allowed four hits with no walks against the Pittsburgh Pirates to win a memorable game that became known as the “Stramas”.

To be the kind of potential he was — in an age where everyone gets so publicized, you almost expect them to be let down — and be the next phenomenon, and then actually do it on his first start, Zimmerman said. “It was fun to be a part of that.” “. “electricity. The audience. Excitement. All this for a game in the middle of the season. It was like something I had never seen before.”

After Strasburg had Tommy John surgery early in his career, the Nationals took the heat to shut him out late in the 2012 season despite being 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA. Without the aces, they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Division Series.

The lockout’s long-term benefit wasn’t seen until October 2019, when Strasburg won 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in the Washington Series and won both of their games against the Houston Astros in the World Series.

In the 2019 regular season, Strasbourg went 18-6 to lead the National League in wins while also striking out 209 runs batted in the National League.

In 2022, he made one appearance and pitched 4⅔ innings from a loss against the Miami Marlins on June 9, giving up seven earned runs on eight hits with two walks and five hits.

A three-time All-Star, Strasbourg has spent his entire 13-year career in the league with the national team. He is 113-62 with a 3.24 ERA over 247 career starts. His 1,723 strikeouts rank first in Nationals history.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.