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Nats talk to Strasburg about shutting him down

Published: September 3, 2012 Comment on this article

WASHINGTON (AP) — A day after announcing that Stephen Strasburg will start only twice more this season, Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson met with the star right-hander to explain the decision.

photo - Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg, left, talks with catcher Kurt Suzuki after pitching the sixth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, in Washington. Strasburg was relieved after completing the sixth inning and the Nationals won 4-3. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg, left, talks with catcher Kurt Suzuki after pitching the sixth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, in Washington. Strasburg was relieved after completing the sixth inning and the Nationals won 4-3. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Johnson was joined by general manager Mike Rizzo and pitching coach Steve McCatty.

Strasburg, who is 15-6 with a 2.94 ERA and leads the National League with 195 strikeouts, had Tommy John surgery to replace an elbow ligament two years ago.

"I'm not sure any of us understand," Johnson said. "But it's the right thing to do."

For months, Johnson has been peppered with questions about the Nationals' plan and he always said the team would limit his innings. Strasburg has thrown 156 1-3. He's averaged just under six innings in his 27 starts.

"I've listened to all the gurus. I've had all the advice. None of it made much sense," Johnson said.

Strasburg is projected to make his final two starts on Friday against Miami and on Sept. 12 in New York.

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