Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Saturday that starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg will undergo surgery next week, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports.

Strasburg, who has been on the 10-day injured list since Aug. 15, has carpal tunnel syndrome in his pitching hand, as announced by Martinez on Friday.

Per MASN, Martinez said Strasburg was placed on the 60-day IL, meaning his 2020 season is over.

Strasburg got off to a rough start this season. In two starts, he was 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA and 1.80 WHIP. He also had just two strikeouts in five innings.

It was a far cry from the pitcher who was among the best in Major League Baseball for the first 10 years of his career.

The 32-year-old veteran is a three-time All-Star and has twice finished in the top five of National League Cy Young Award voting, including last season.

In 2019, Strasburg made 33 regular-season starts for the Nats and went 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 251 strikeouts in 209 innings. The win and strikeout totals marked career highs for the 2009 No. 1 overall draft pick.

Strasburg was also a superstar for the Nationals during their run to the World Series, as he went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA and 47 strikeouts over 36.1 innings in six appearances. He was named World Series MVP in the Nats' seven-game win over the Houston Astros.

Though Washington lost its top offensive player during the offseason when third baseman Anthony Rendon signed with the Los Angeles Angels, there was still some hope it would contend behind the starting pitching trio of Strasburg, Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin.

The Nats are tied for fourth in the NL East at 9-13, however, and making up ground will be difficult with one of the league's premier pitchers on the shelf.

Washington will continue to rely on Scherzer and Corbin with Strasburg out, but it will also need more from the rest of the rotation, which includes Anibal Sanchez, Austin Voth and Erick Fedde.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg was reportedly diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reported the news, noting manager Davey Martinez said surgery is a possibility after the right-hander saw a hand specialist Thursday.

The 2019 World Series MVP has gone 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA and two strikeouts in five innings for the defending champion Nationals this year.

Strasburg's 2020 season got off to a tough start after he missed time to a nerve issue in his right hand. He was scratched from a July 25 start against the New York Yankees and didn't make his season debut until August 9 against the Baltimore Orioles.

He threw 4.1 frames and allowed seven hits and five earned runs while striking out just two. After the game, Strasburg said that he wasn't back to 100 percent, per Byron Kerr of MASN Sports:

"To be honest, I felt it. I don’t know if it was necessarily like fatigue or just not having necessarily the stamina built up quite yet. But it’s something where I don’t think I’m doing any long-term harm on it. But it does have an impact on being able to throw the baseball and being able to commit to pitches. That’s something I haven’t quite figured out how to pitch through it yet, so I think the goal is to continue to get built up and get the pitch count up to where that won’t be flaring up over the course of the start."

Strasburg made his next start Aug. 14 against the O's but left after recording just two outs due to his hand ailment.

"And now Stephen Strasburg is leaving this outing in the first inning," Dan Kolko of Nats Xtra said. "Clearly still feeling some of the nerve issue in his throwing arm/wrist/hand that had him start the season on the IL. Admitted he felt it in his last start."

Per Kerr, Strasburg went on the injured list with carpal tunnel neuritis of the right hand Aug. 15.

Erick Fedde will likely take Strasburg's spot in the rotation behind ace Max Scherzer, left-hander Patrick Corbin and right-handers Anibal Sanchez and Austin Voth.

After making just 16 pitches during Friday's start against the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals star Stephen Strasburg will be placed on the injured list. 

Per MLB Network's Jon Heyman, Strasburg is dealing with injuries to his right hand and thumb. 

Per MASN's Dan Kolko, the Nationals were going to keep Ryne Harper on their roster with Strasburg going on the injured list. 

Washington manager Davey Martinez announced prior to Friday's games against the Orioles that Harper was going to be sent to the team's alternate site, but he was allowed to remain on the active roster since MLB rules permitted 29 players. 

Harper wound up pitching the final two innings in Washington's 15-3 victory. 

Strasburg missed the first two weeks of the season with a nerve issue in his hand. The 2019 World Series MVP made his season debut Aug. 9, allowing five runs in 4.1 innings against the Orioles. He only recorded two outs on Friday night before being removed. 

The Nationals are off to a slow start with a 7-10 record. Losing Strasburg for at least 10 days will make their quest to return to the postseason increasingly difficult, but they still have Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin to anchor the top of their rotation. 

Washington Nationals star pitcher Stephen Strasburg left Friday's start against the Orioles after just 16 pitches because of an apparent hand injury. 

Losing Strasburg for even a start or two could have huge implications for Washington's season, with just 60 games to secure a postseason berth. He remains one of the team's most important players and one of the better pitchers in baseball. 

The 32-year-old was huge for the Nationals in 2019, going 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 251 strikeouts in 209 innings. He was even better in the postseason, going 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 36.1 innings.

Strasburg was named World Series MVP for his efforts in helping lead the Nationals to their first title. 

Alongside Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin, he highlights an excellent rotation that is the strength of the Nats. That makes losing him for any duration particularly hard to overcome. 

Injuries have already played a part in his 2020 season, after a nerve issue in his right hand cost him his first start of the season in late July.

"It got to the point where I didn't have the same feeling in my hand holding the ball," he told reporters at the time, "and it was affecting my ability to command the baseball the way I'm accustomed to."

"Nerve issues are pretty fickle," he added.

That was a bit of an ominous start to Washington's title defense, as is this latest injury setback. 

Look for Erick Fedde to slot into the rotation while Strasburg is out of action.

In a situation that seemingly only makes sense in 2020, Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg was ejected from the game while sitting in the stands during Thursday's game against the New York Mets.

The starter, who is scheduled to pitch Friday, was social distancing in the stands with the stadium devoid of fans because of the coronavirus. He was heard arguing with home plate umpire Carlos Torres over balls and strikes, leading to his ejection:

The incident came during the third inning with Mets star Pete Alonso at the plate. The at-bat featured several borderline calls that caused both sides to complain, and the first baseman eventually struck out looking.

Strasburg wouldn't have pitched anyway, but it created another memorable moment during a wild MLB season.

Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer exited Wednesday's start against the New York Mets after just one inning because of a hamstring injury.

Scherzer revealed after the game, per MASN Sports' Mark Zuckerman, that he tweaked his hamstring Tuesday. Scherzer did note, however, he's "not really concerned" about the ailment.

The three-time Cy Young winner tossed 27 pitches (14 strikes), giving up one hit, one walk and one earned run with one strikeout.

This is not the first time in recent years the right-hander has dealt with an injury. Scherzer was scheduled to start Game 5 of the 2019 World Series. On the day of the game, however, he experienced back and neck pain so severe he was unable to lift his right arm.

The Nationals scratched Scherzer as a result and started Joe Ross instead. Washington lost the game 7-1 to the Houston Astros, with Ross allowing four earned runs in five innings.

Scherzer returned for Game 7, pitching five innings and allowing two earned runs as the Nationals beat the Astros 6-2 to claim their first title.

Scherzer showed off his toughness earlier in the year when he pitched despite a broken nose and black eye in the Nationals' 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on June 19.

In general, the seven-time All-Star continued to be one of MLB's best pitchers in 2019. He finished fourth in WAR (6.5), per FanGraphs, after going 11-7 with a 2.45 FIP in 27 starts. He set a career high for strikeout rate as well, averaging 12.69 per nine innings.

The Nationals re-signed Stephen Strasburg to a seven-year, $245 million extension to keep last year's starting rotation intact. Between Strasburg and Patrick Corbin, Washington still has two strong anchors for the unit. But Scherzer's absence will be felt nonetheless.

Washington Nationals star Juan Soto will make his season debut Wednesday night against the New York Mets after missing 13 days because of a positive coronavirus test. 

Per Howard Fendrich of the Associated Press, Soto will play left field and is hitting fourth in the lineup. 

"He said he's ready," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said, according to Fendrich. 

Hours before the Nationals' season opener against the New York Yankees on July 23, the team announced Soto had been placed on MLB's COVID-19 injured list after his test came back positive. 

General manager Mike Rizzo told reporters at the time that Soto was asymptomatic. 

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on July 29 that Soto had received clearance from MLB to play after returning two negative tests, but the outfielder had to get approval from Washington, D.C., health officials to get back on the field. 

Soto told reporters last week he believes the initial positive test was a false positive: "I've been working on it. I've been tested a bunch of times negative. I've been following the rules, being in the right spot. And I think that's why I think it was fake positive. I've been following the rules, I've been really serious with this because it is out there."

The Nationals defeated the Mets 5-3 in Tuesday's series opener. The reigning World Series champions are off to a 4-4 start, but the offense without Soto is tied for 24th in runs scored (29). 

Soto should provide a significant boost in the middle of the lineup. The 21-year-old hit .282/.401/.548 with 34 home runs, 110 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 150 games in 2019.

Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto has been cleared to play by Major League Baseball, according to manager Dave Martinez.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman first reported that MLB had cleared Soto after five negative COVID-19 tests but that Soto is waiting for clearance from the Washington, D.C., government.

Per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, Martinez said the Nationals hope Soto is cleared by the government by Saturday, meaning he would make his season debut Tuesday against the New York Mets.

Soto was confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 just prior to the Nats' Opening Day game against the New York Yankees and has yet to appear in a contest this season.

The Nationals will face the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday and Thursday, but their scheduled road series against the Miami Marlins from Friday through Sunday has been postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak throughout the Marlins organization.

Prior to the start of the 2020 season, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and pitcher Joe Ross both opted out of the campaign because of coronavirus-related concerns.

Soto is a hugely important player for the Nats in 2020, as third baseman Anthony Rendon signed with the Los Angeles Angels in free agency. As a result, Soto is now clearly Washington's go-to offensive anchor.

The 21-year-old broke into the big leagues in 2018 and hit .292 with 22 home runs and 70 RBI in 116 games, but he impressed even more last season by hitting .282 with 34 homers and 110 RBI.

Soto also hit .277 with five home runs and 14 RBI during Washington's playoff run in 2019, including a .333 average, three homers and seven RBI in the Nats' World Series win over the Houston Astros.

The Nationals finally got over the hump and claimed a title in spite of the departure of outfielder Bryce Harper to the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency, and Soto's progression was a big reason for that.

With no Harper, Rendon or Soto through the first five games of this season, however, the Nats are tied for the worst record in the majors at 1-4.

The Nationals have some capable hitters such as Howie Kendrick, Asdrubal Cabrera, Starlin Castro, Trea Turner, Victor Robles and Adam Eaton, but none of them are middle-of-the-order studs like Soto.

With Soto cleared to return to action by MLB, the Nats will soon have a chance to turn things around and make some noise this season despite their slow start.    

The "vast majority" of Washington Nationals players reportedly voted against going to Miami this weekend for a three-game series against the Miami Marlins, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Rosenthal noted that Major League Baseball will decide whether the games will be played or postponed.

Per Chris Bumbaca and Bob Nightengale of USA Today, 17 people within the Marlins organization are known to have tested positive for COVID-19. That resulted in the Marlins' home series against the Baltimore Orioles getting postponed this week.

MLB also postponed the New York Yankees' two-game road set with the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday and Tuesday since the Marlins faced the Phillies in the season-opening series for both teams.

The Marlins are currently scheduled to travel to Baltimore for a two-game set against the Orioles on Wednesday and Thursday before hosting Washington Friday through Sunday.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that a source said the Nationals' vote was "more [a] suggestion than demand." Sherman noted that if the Marlins' games in Baltimore against the Orioles happen, they could take a bus to Washington, D.C., and play the games originally scheduled for Miami there.

A source also told Sherman they believe the Nationals will play even if the games remain in Miami.

Washington lost 4-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday to drop to 1-3 on the season. They are scheduled to face the Blue Jays again Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before the road series against Miami.

Starting pitcher Jose Urena, catcher Jorge Alfaro, first baseman Garrett Cooper and outfielder Harold Ramirez are among the Marlins players who have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, per the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred suggested Monday on MLB Network (h/t ESPN's Jesse Rogers) that the Marlins' outbreak is something the league can manage for now: "I don't put this in the nightmare category. It's not a positive thing, but I don't see it as a nightmare. ... That's why we have the expanded rosters. That's why we have the pool of additional players."

The Nats have been impacted by COVID-19 in a significant way thus far, as first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and pitcher Joe Ross opted out of the season due to concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

Also, superstar outfielder Juan Soto tested positive for COVID-19 just before the Nationals' season-opening game against the Yankees last week.

If the series between the Nationals and Marlins is postponed, it could put MLB in a difficult spot since there is limited time available for teams to make up postponed games.

With the 2020 season getting truncated to 60 games per team rather than the traditional 162, each team has a small number of off-days built-in.

Should too many of the Marlins' games get postponed, it is possible that the standings could be based on winning percentage rather than record in the interest of still giving the Marlins an opportunity to compete for a playoff spot.

Miami is currently 2-1 after taking two out of three games from the Phillies in its season-opening series.

The top-selling baseball card in Topps Now history features someone who wasn't all that impressive of a baseball player.

The company announced its card commemorating Dr. Anthony Fauci's first pitch at Nationals Park on Thursday is the fastest-selling card ever with 51,512 cards sold. The collectors item was created as a limited edition scheduled to go on sale for only 24 hours.

"We're excited by the popularity of Dr. Fauci's Topps NOW card," Topps communications manager Emily Kless said, per Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today. "Topps prides itself on capturing the unique moments of the MLB season, one baseball card at a time, and Dr. Fauci's inclusion in this year's Topps NOW cards is just one way in which we are highlighting the uniqueness of the 2020 season."

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases as well as a diehard Washington Nationals fan, was given the chance to throw the first pitch for the 2020 season opener against the New York Yankees. It didn't exactly go as planned, with a pitch that was well outside:

It was still a memorable moment, as thousands of fans bought a card commemorating the event for $9.99 apiece.

The previous record for fastest-selling card was in honor of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s first career hit, which sold 19,396 copies.