Stephen Strasburg Injury: Updates on Nationals Pitcher's Neck and Return

Stephen Strasburg exited the Washington Nationals' game against the Cincinnati Reds on May 29 with a neck injury after just one full inning. He went on the disabled list with a strained left trapezius on May 30 and was reinstated on June 23.

Continue for updates. 

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Strasburg Reinstated from DL, Joe Ross Optioned to Triple-A

Tuesday, June 23

The Nationals confirmed Strasburg's return to the main roster following his recovery while also announcing the corresponding roster move.

Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington reported Strasburg gave up two runs (only one of which was earned) in his rehab assignment on June 17 on four hits in five innings pitched. He didn't walk a batter and struck out six on 71 pitches, per Zuckerman. 

Zuckerman noted the right-hander retired the first seven batters he faced, striking out two. After the start, Strasburg said this was the best he'd felt since spring training and felt "100 percent," per Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post.

"I feel really good and I feel strong. Definitely could’ve gone back out there for a few," Strasburg said after his first rehab start, per Chris Johnson of MASN. 

ESPN Stats & Info noted that this DL stint was the fourth of Strasburg's young career, and while one was for Tommy John surgery, each of the others sidelined him for no more than 20 days. 

The 26-year-old is mired in a dreadful start to the 2015 season. Entering Friday, he was 3-5 in 10 starts with a 6.55 ERA. However, according to FanGraphs, he has a 3.96 FIP, which proves that his high ERA is somewhat deceiving.

ESPN's Buster Olney also presented stats signifying that the Nationals' poor defense was having a major effect on Strasburg's performance:

Still, he's striking out fewer batters per nine innings (10.1 K/9 in 2014 to 8.9 in 2015) while allowing more walks (2.8 BB/9 to 1.8) and home runs (1.2 HR/9 to 1.0) than he did in 2014.