Washington Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg Placed on 60-Day Injured List, Stirs Retirement Speculation.

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been placed on the 60-day injured list, which means he will not be able to play for the team’s game in Cincinnati. Strasburg is the 2019 World Series MVP and has been dealing with injuries that have affected his career. He has not pitched since June 2022 and still has three seasons remaining on his seven-year, $245 million contract. Initially, Strasburg announced his retirement in late August, but the Nationals did not hold a retirement news conference. The team stated that they looked forward to seeing him at spring training, but Strasburg did not report to the Nationals facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The only practical impact of him being on the roster is that it takes up a protected spot for the Rule 5 draft in December. The Nationals also selected the contracts of right-handers Matt Barnes and Derek Law, as well as outfielders Eddie Rosario and Jesse Winker from Triple-A Rochester. Barnes, Rosario, and Winker will have $2 million salaries while in the major leagues, and Law will receive $1.5 million. In addition to Strasburg, several other players were placed on the injured list by the Nationals. Right-handers Cade Cavalli and Mason Thompson, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, were placed on the 60-day injured list along with left-hander Jose Ferrer, who has a left lat strain. Outfielder Stone Garrett was also placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 25 due to left ankle reconstruction surgery.

There may be negotiations regarding restructuring the money owed to Strasburg as part of a retirement agreement when he returns from injury or retires officially.