Strasburg's Season to Continue?

With the most recent injury to Steven Strasburg Nationals fans can’t help but think of Chicago’s Mark Prior. Earlier the pitching phenom took himself out of the rotation because of arm soreness and now it seems to be happening again. The question is now should the Nationals face the music, play it safe, and shut him down for the remained of the season?

In a recent article on CBSsports.com former Cubs savior prospect Kerry Woods was quoted as saying, “I’d question whether I would send him back out and let him pitch more.” Since the Cubs were in a similar situation with Woods maybe the Nationals should take his advise, otherwise they might end up with a really expensive mediocre closer instead of the long-term savior they are betting on.

Personally, I don’t understand the debate. To date Stephen has demonstrated an ability to take command of his games while maintaining a clear head on the mound. Toughness isn’t part of the formula and like Woods later suggested it isn’t like they are in a pennant race. In other words, why force the issue? Some opponents like Ron Dibble, the Nationals MASN commentator suggest that Strasburg just needs to suck it up and go out and pitch. Now I don’t think Dibble is an idiot he is merely upset that the organization is letting Strasburg manage his own actions as opposed to the coaches in the Nationals dugout. When he says suck it up, he means for Steven to keep pitching until the decision is made for him, after all he’s the Nationals investment. While this mentality is a bit old school it can be understood to a degree. However, if Dibble would like us to believe that in this day and age professional athletes don’t dictate their own playing time, he is sorely mistaken.

In the end it would be safe to leave the judgment up to those trainers and doctors in charge of Strasburg’s health. Then the ultimate decision is up to Riggleman and Rizzo but if he were my future I would probably shut him down and work on building up endurance and toughness during the off-season.