It is pure speculation at this point, but until Stephen Strasburg undergoes a second MRI test on his forearm Thursday, his health will continue to draw national attention.
Some baseball analysts already are starting to question the Nationals’ 22-year-old phenom. They don’t blame him, of course. But with a fastball that approaches 100 mph and a powerful curveball that puts tremendous pressure on his shoulder and elbow, they wonder how Strasburg’s arm can withstand such strain. He previously went on the 15-day disabled list with a sore shoulder.
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ESPN’s Curt Schilling actually predicted Wednesday that Strasburg would need Tommy John surgery before throwing another big league pitch. At least for now — the Nats hope — that’s a stretch. But there is no question the team is concerned. An arthrogram, in which dye is injected into the arm to better see the tendons and ligaments, is set for Thursday. Strasburg, originally hurt Saturday against Philadelphia, needed to wait a few days for the second MRI to let the swelling go down.
MASN analyst Rob Dibble took some heat earlier this week for suggesting that Strasburg, if he isn’t seriously injured, needs to learn how to pitch through pain. But he isn’t the only former big leaguer with that opinion.
“There is a notion that you do have to learn as a pitcher about throwing through soreness,” MLB Network analyst and former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Joe Magrane said. “Once you start your major league career, there are the first couple of starts and then your arm does not feel perfect every time. You really become a fantastic starter or reliever when you go out there and succeed when your arm feels less than sensational.”
No question Washington has been cautious. Even before his first injury, Strasburg’s pitch counts were generally kept below 100 and he never pitched into the eighth inning. The Nats even set a limit before the season of 160 combined innings for Strasburg. He has made it to 123 1⁄3.
