Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg will make his next start, General Manager Mike Rizzo told the Washington Post‘s Thomas Boswell. Strasburg had experienced tightness in his forearm after Monday’s game against the Braves.

Forearm problems can be a precursor to elbow problems, and Strasburg underwent Tommy John surgery in 2010. The team has been extremely cautious with their 24-year-old star and caused a lot of controversy when they shut him down after 159 1/3 innings last season.

Strasburg allowed two runs in six innings against in the team’s 3-2 loss to the Braves. Rizzo downplayed the forearm problems:

Strasburg’s arm is “structurally perfect.” He merely felt “irritation in his forearm” Monday. "No problem," said Rizzo. Will make next start—
Thomas Boswell (@ThomasBoswellWP) April 30, 2013

Strasburg irritation may have been caused by normal pre-game use of electrical stimulation on forearm. "Strong as an ox," said GM Rizzo.—
Thomas Boswell (@ThomasBoswellWP) April 30, 2013

Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg was treated for “forearm tightness” after pitching six solid innings in the Nats’ 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Monday, according to multiple reports.

Comcast SportsNet Washington’s Mark Zuckerman reported that Strasburg was being examined by team doctors after the game. Manager Davey Johnson said that it was too early to know if Strasburg would be able to make his next start, according to Zuckerman.

There is no indication the injury is serious, but Strasburg did undergo Tommy John surgery in 2010, missing nearly a year of action. The Nationals shut him down for the season early last September, prompting a flurry of discussion about whether it was the right move for the near- and long-term.

For his part, Strasburg said that he was fine after the game, telling reporters that he would not miss his next start.

Through six starts this season, Strasburg is 1-4 with a 3.13 ERA.

Forearm tightness for Strasburg, being examined by doctor. Davey says too early to know about next start.

— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) April 30, 2013

Strasburg says he felt fine. Brushed off injury questions. “I’m not missing my next start. Ill tell you right now.”

— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) April 30, 2013

Stephen Strasburg thinks he’s still healthy enough to pitch for the Nationals. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg had some choice words for team management after the decision was made on Sept. 7 to shut him down for the rest of the season, according to Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post:

“I don’t know if I’m ever going to accept it, to be honest,” Strasburg said. “It’s something that I’m not happy about at all. That’s not why I play the game. I play the game to be a good teammate and win. You don’t grow up dreaming out playing in the big leagues to get shut down when the games start to matter. It’s going to be a tough one to swallow.”

The team had originally set a date of Sept. 12 to end his season, but following a loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday, in which he gave up five runs in three innings, the team decided to move up that date. According to Kilgore, the Nationals noticed that Strasburg’s breaking ball and “hop” on his fast ball have not been what the team is used to seeing.

Thomas Boswell of The Washington Post said that the 24-year-old pitcher may feel fine, but his numbers tell a different story:

When the shutdown was announced Saturday morning, Strasburg had the fifth (and worst) ERA in the rotation whether measured since May 15th (3.75) or over the quintet’s last 10 starts each (4.14).

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Marlins, the Nationals held a 6.5 game lead over the Atlanta Braves for the lead in the National League.

The Nationals will shut down Stephen Strasburg after Sept. 12. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson put an end to the most heated non-political topic in the nation’s capital: The Nationals will shut down pitcher Stephen Strasburg on Sept. 12, after his final scheduled start against the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Strasburg will make just two more starts after the Nationals entertained a limit on their prized third-year hurler prior to the start of the 2012 season after returning from Tommy John surgery.

As the Washington Post‘s Adam Kilgore reported in February:

The Nationals will not manipulate Strasburg’s pitching schedule in order to extend his season, letting him pitch every fifth game from the start of the regular season until he hits roughly 160 innings, and then ending his season.

“There’s not going to be a whole lot of tinkering going on,” general manager Mike Rizzo said.

“We’re going to run him out there until his innings are gone and then stop him from pitching.”

The decision seemed sound to most until Major League Baseball’s youngest franchise put together their best season, boasting the best winning percentage in both leagues and holding a 6 1/2-game lead in the National League East.

The Nationals’ hot start tested the patience and wisdom of fans, some MLB media members and even medical experts, but the team has stuck to its plan despite losing a key cog during the heat of the team’s first playoff race and a likely playoff berth.

Nationals pitchers Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman, Edwin Jackson and Ross Detwiler are expected to pick up the slack in Strasburgh’s absence.

Nationals’ starter Stephen Strasburg will be held out of postseason play after he is shut down when he reaches his “innings limit,” MLB.com’s William Ladson reported on Twitter Sunday.

I was informed that #Nats RHP Stephen Starsburg will not partisipate in the postseason once he is shut down. #MLB

— William Ladson (@washingnats) August 12, 2012

The Nationals had already made their decision in July to shut down Strasburg after he reaches a specific number of innings pitched. Washington sits atop the National League East — four games ahead of the Atlanta Braves — and much of that has been due to the consistency of Strasburg in his first full season in the majors.

Strasburg is 13-5 with a 2.90 ERA in 23 games. He has 166 strikeouts and just 38 walks. He pitched six innings in a 9-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, bringing his season total to 133 1/3 innings.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Friday that the plan is to shut down Strasburg sometime in September. Rizzo denied reports that the limit was set for 180 innings.

The Nationals have an MLB-leading team ERA of 3.22 this season. Washington will rely on the foursome of Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Edwin Jackson and Ross Detwiler during the playoffs.

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is now on an 180 inning limit in the regular season. He has pitched 127 innings so far this season. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Well, so much for that 160 innings cap for Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said earlier this year that Strasburg would be on an innings limit of 160 innings, due to his young age and him coming off of Tommy John surgery.  Today, Rizzo said that Strasburg would not pitch more than 180 innings, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Strasburg has pitched 127.1 innings this season, going 12-5 with a 2.95 ERA and 160 strikeouts.

Washington starts the day in prime playoff position, having the major leagues best record at  69-43 and leading the National League East by 4.5 games over the Atlanta Braves.

While Mike Rizzo wouldn't pin down a number, he said Stephen Strasburg will not exceed 180 innings.—
Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 10, 2012

Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg says the team will have guts if they don’t let him exceed the innings limit for him set at the beginning of the season. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Washington Nationals certainly have a dilemma on their hands when it comes to ace Stephen Strasburg.

The Nationals want to be careful with their high-priced investment and although Strasburg is coming off Tommy John surgery, the team still is putting him on an innings limit.

Strasburg has thrown 99 innings this season, putting him on pace for 193. He was asked about the 160-inning limit set by the team and general manager Mike Rizzo before the season, “They’re going to have to rip the ball out of my hands,” he said on MLB Network Radio.

 “I have no clue how many innings I’m going to throw this year. I’ve answered that question multiple times, and nobody’s said anything to me,” he said. “I feel great right now.”

The 23-year old Strasburg has a 9-4 record with a 2.82 ERA in his first full season in the majors.

“If they (the Nationals) actually do that, I’ll actually have more respect for them, because that’s going to take some serious guts,” Strasburg told ESPN the Magazine.

Justin Verlander will finally be able to add All-Star Game starter to his long list of accomplishments on Tuesday. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

After being deemed ineligible to start last year’s All-Star Game, Justin Verlander will finally get his chance.

According to FoxSports.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, American League manager Ron Washington has selected Verlander to start for the AL in Tuesday’s game. And according to the New York Daily News’ John Harper, Matt Cain will get the nod for the National League.

The 2011 Cy Young winner has an ERA of 2.58 this season, tossing five complete games and averages 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The official announcement will come later Monday.

Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox his case during the first half of the year to be the AL’s starter as he currently sits second in the league in ERA (2.19) and boasts a 10-2 record.

But Verlander, also last year’s AL MVP, is on pace to lead the league for a second consecutive year in strikeouts and innings pitched.

As for the National League, Tony LaRussa has reportedly tabbed San Francisco Giants’ Matt Cain as the starter.

Source says Dickey is not starting All-Star game. Will be Cain vs. Verlander.

—
John Harper (@NYDNHarper) July 09, 2012

According to Harper, Cain will get the nod over the likes of knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and flamethrower Stephen Strasburg. What may have won LaRussa over was Cain’s perfect game in June, which was only the 22nd in MLB history.

The Washington Nationals will sell and eight pound burger named after super star, Stephen Strasburg, for $59, according to the Business Insider.

PIC: Nats say folo Twitter to see games 8 lb StrasBurger will be served. @TheRealStrasBurger handle still available http://t.co/EGPlOhbp

—
Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) April 12, 2012

The “Strasburger” was described in a press release as “weighing eight pounds total (including toppings), the StrasBurger is a monstrous all beef burger (combination of ground brisket, chuck and short ribs). The burger is served on a large burger bun with our secret sauce, American cheese, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced red onions, pickle chips and served with a cone basket of fresh cut fries and a pitcher of your choice of soft drink. This signature dish is the perfect entrée to share at this affordably-priced family restaurant.”

The Nationals will kick off their home opener today against the Cincinnati Reds at 1:05 pm.

Stephen Strasburg has been named the Washington Nationals Opening Day starter, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com.

Stephen Strasburg will be the #Nats‘ Opening Day starter.

— William Ladson (@washingnats) March 21, 2012

Strasburg, the 2009 No. 1 overall draft pick, missed the majority of the 2011 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. In five games following his return, he posted a 1.50 ERA while striking out 24 batters in 24 innings.

In his rookie season of 2010, he posted a 5-3 record with a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts before injuring his elbow. That season he struck out 92 batters in 68 innings of work.

This spring his fastball has been clocked as high as 103 M.P.H. on the radar gun.

Washington Nationals star pitcher Stephen Strasburg compared his experience being drafted No. 1 overall by Washington to the one that Bryce Harper had being drafted by the same franchise at the same spot just one year later.

“Harper handles it differently than I would,” Strasburg told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “There’s nothing wrong with the way he handles it. That can work to his advantage to some extent. I’ve talked to him a few times about it. He’s a great kid, a young kid who comes from a different situation.

“Me being a college guy, I got a chance to kinda slowly move into it, whereas he was 16 on the cover of Sports Illustrated.”

Strasbrurg and Harper were both considered two of the best draft prospects in the history of the game. As a result of the Nationals finishing with the worst record in baseball in two consecutive seasons, Washington was able to acquire both with the first pick overall.

Last season in his return from Tommy John surgery, Strasburg went 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched. In 2010, he posted a 2.91 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched.

Harper, 19, hit .297/.392/.501 with 17 home runs and 26 stolen bases in the minor leagues for the Nationals last year.

The Washington Nationals reportedly have interest in signing free-agent starter Roy Oswalt, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com.

Last winter the Nationals made a strong charge for a top-of-the-rotation starter. The team was reportedly in the mix to sign then free-agent Cliff Lee until the very end, and also had a trade in place to acquire starter Zack Greinke from the Kansas City Royals before the right-hander nixed the deal. Oswalt could potentially fill such a role in 2012 for a rotation that should, for the first time, feature a healthy Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, and Chien-Ming Wang.

Oswalt, 34, had his option declined by the Philadelphia Phillies last week making him a free-agent.  As a result, the three-time All-Star received a $2 million buyout instead of $16 million in salary over the course of 2012.

In 23 games started for Philadelphia last season, Oswalt posted a 9-10 record with a 3.69 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 139 innings pitched. For his career, Oswalt has posted a 159-93 record with a stellar 3.21 ERA in 11 seasons with the Houston Astros and the Phillies.