Nats GM: Stephen Strasburg's status a 'mystery' going into 2023

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo: Stephen Strasburg's status a 'mystery' going into 2023

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/4/22

As the Washington Nationals wrap up a 100-plus-loss season this week, fans will turn the page to 2023. On Tuesday, general manager Mike Rizzo discussed some offseason topics, including the health of 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg.

It's been nearly four months since the oft-injured Strasburg was placed on the IL with a season-ending shoulder ailment, and there have been few updates on his status since. Rizzo didn't have many details to provide, but things didn't sound great.

Mike Rizzo just did a 20-minute season wrap-up with us. Most notable:
* Admits Strasburg's status is a "mystery" heading into 2023
* Expects Kieboom to return and compete for 3B job next spring
* Says Corbin is part of the rotation in '23
* Waiting for "parameters" from ownership
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) October 4, 2022

After missing most of 2021 with a neck strain, the three-time All-Star underwent season-ending surgery when he diagnosed with a neurogenic thoracic outlet condition. Strasburg made his first and only start of 2022 in early June before going on the shelf again.

The 2009 first overall pick out of San Diego State has surpassed 200 innings pitched in a season only twice in his decade-plus in the league, but 2019 was arguably his best year. Strasburg finished fifth in the NL Cy Young voting that season after leading the league in wins (18) and innings pitched (209), while posting a 3.32 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 251 strikeouts across 33 regular-season starts.

The 34-year-old went 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings pitched across two starts in the 2019 World Series to earn MVP honors. Since then, he has made only eight starts in the last three seasons, including the 2020 pandemic-altered campaign.

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