Is It Really Worth the Risk? Stephen Strasburg Needs to Sit, Rehab

Why are the Nationals doing this?? What is the team thinking?? If Stephen Strasburg was driving down the freeway recklessly, almost suspiciously so, involved in an auto crash or a multi-car pile-up, the Nationals would be very cautious with their hard-throwing phenom getting behind the wheel.

But then, he's being rushed back to make his pitching debut since the injury delayed his spectacular visits onto the mound when he's a valued element to the Nationals, a ballclub currently sitting at 20 games out of first place in the NL East. We can't forget something, though. Mark Prior and Mark Mulder came before him.

The wait wasn't longer than usual, almost quickly, rushing back the No. 1 draft selection, Strasburg, when he sustained a torn ligament in his pitching elbow that forced the rookie sensation to undergo Tommy John surgery. It's thoroughly expected each week that he is hopeful of making a comeback after a strong recovery in the midst of rehab to return healthier than ever.

He continues to be dumbfounded, oblivious and incautious, even more so with the temptations of rushing back his foresighted ace. Mike Rizzo, general manager for the Washington Nationals, plans for the 23-year-old right-hander to return potentially for a few late-season starts in the nation's capital. This would be considered a huge risk, a perilous move, a dateline for a setback or disaster to thwart a marveled tale for one of the miraculous comebacks in baseball.

The locals grasped when the Nationals recently allowed Strasburg to take major steps in his progress, but a hurried recovery can spell trouble if he grimace in pain and experience a setback, still healing and trying to recoup. And the relevance of his premature comeback is kind of eerie, not even one year removed from the surgical procedure he had Sept. 3.

It's unforeseen to see Strasburg recover so quickly of a horrific surgery that really has no specific timetable, but in this view, he has a larger chance to become a no-hit wonder, become the next 3,000 winner and become the hard-thrower in a town where he is a magnetic. That seems to be exactly what people are assuming, hopeful he's the next endearing athlete in the nation's capital.

The fact is, in attempting to be an advocate of rushing Strasburg back, it's quite horrendous to expect a speedy recovery from someone who is rehabbing to reappear fully robust. So if this is how it looks, he has been impressive, throwing 31 pitches in his first rehab start on Sunday.

So if this is what we are going to see, when he is fully healthy to pose as an unhittable ace on the hill every five days, he'll threw mainly fastballs, topping in the upper-90s, which he is already viewed as the best rookie ever -- amazingly while battling a season-ending injury that never lasted as long as anticipated.

The excitement of striking out four and surrendering a solo home run over 1 2-3 innings almost certainly writes a feel-good story for baseball when Strasburg is probably another paragon in the ailing game to alleviate the hysteria of woeful allegations that taints the beauty of our pastime.

We all recognize, by the way, much salvation is necessary to remind us that baseball is still relevant in our generation, not only in the period of our grandparents or great grandparents, a span when populace solely admired the game. The whole thing, regarding Strasburg's status, seems too orchestrated and horrendous, a gusty move for a ballclub depending on his success in the future.

And, truth be told, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said on Tuesday that Strasburg will throw three innings with a 50-pitch limit for Potomac. Lucky for the Nationals, he is healing from a severe injury faster than ever and the ballclub residing in Washington D.C. wants to stop being the laughingstock, the one franchise bullied in the NL East.

The club wants to end the lackluster performances and construct a sturdy pitching rotation of four hard-throwing pitchers, including Strasburg who is the cornerstone of the foundation for the Nationals. Many of us don't want to be fair to the athletes, realizing that he's not fully capable of throwing at his best, still not healthy enough to make a powerful impact.

"Stras is going to be on a normal program," Johnson said. "He'll go three innings on Friday with a limit of 50 pitches. He'll probably go the next time out, five days later, he'll go four innings, probably 60 pitches or something like that. Then he'll go five innings and 80 pitches and probably be ready to go."

It's fine to be skeptical of what the Nationals are planning, angling for Strasburg to pitch as soon as possible. That's a pretty terrifying decision when he's coming off Tommy John surgery, finding his form once again to pitch at an all-time high. The disposition and choice to bring Strasburg back prematurely jeopardizes his ability to throw, his arm strength, his health and long-term status with the franchise.

It's one of the harmful and poignant moments that may come back to haunt the Nationals, a regrettable preference to implode a gifted rotation and damage the career of Strasburg. If the Nats aren't careful as it might be a proper time to bring the right-hander back, with the logic of Prior and Mulder suffering career-threatening injuries, then a similar occurrence could happen if not worse.

At some point, if the media doesn't believe it, the angst is discovered more and more, as the team is burned out of all the endless hoopla circling Strasburg as the kid is unable to breathe with the hype and bevy of attention exposed by the media. Within hours of the announcement, Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner hightailed to Hagerstown, eager to see Strasburg return for the two innings of work.

The future for Strasburg looks bright, and that seems really bright if the Nats use him fairly and give him enough time to overcome an injury. He's had more attention, national attention that is, after his imposing debut in his first ever game in the majors and then he's treated more like a celebrity in the District of Columbia.

The more he wears a Nationals uniform, the more he is a beloved gentleman to properly change the Natinals brand name to the Nationals. In the town, where the nation's capital and plenty of the American monuments hail to symbolize patriotism, now in a place where baseball nearly embodies Strasburg, he earns more nods than President Obama.

If that's true, he can walk down Pennsylvania Ave., where he'd need to be heavily protected by special agents. It's all so obvious that he is an incredibly priceless asset, expected to accomplished wonderful achievements in a Nationals uniform and be one of the greatest pitchers to ever play the game.

There are real reasons to believe, now that the Nationals are in charge of an manageable disaster, Washington is mishandling the situation and putting baseball's next best pitcher in harms way, strangely urging Strasburg to hurry and begin tossing pitches. Patience is virtue. That thought comes elsewhere, though.

It certainly isn't emphasized by the Nationals, willing to risk the career of one of their talented stars and seem confident that he's ready to return to actual form. It's too fast to suggest such a quick resurgence for someone who was never superhuman, but a natural sensation with prodigy, discipline and velocity in his untouchable fastball.

Beneath his renewal steps in rejuvenating, such as how he's surprisingly and instantly regaining strength in his throwing arm, he is a public figure of nuisance and prominence. His name is essentially a common one for a franchise, strangely handling the injury with apathy and instability, listening to Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, his former coach at San Diego State, talk about his confidence and competitive nature in college that has translated over to the majors.

It feels as if the Nationals have been fair and precautious with Strasburg in the past, even if Washington never issued pitch-counts or limited innings of work, allowing him to throw until he presented signs of fatigue. If the Nationals gives Strasburg, their franchise pitcher, a chance to throw in a few nugatory games in September and have him pitch against the toughest of the National League, it would one of the biggest mistakes.

What happens if, after making a strong progress and becoming useful since he underwent surgery to repair his torn ligament in his damaged elbow, Strasburg is placed back on the disabled list for reaggravating his elbow in his throwing arm? The Nationals are smart if he is only allowed to complete his rehab in the minor leagues, pitch in limited innings and return next season to the majors.

It's not worth the risk when the Nationals are evidently out of postseason conversations and mostly playing for pride, if nothing else. It's too bad that Washington isn't reluctant and comfortable with having Strasburg return to the mound for meaningless games.

What for?

It is a possibility that Rob Dibble, the former major league pitcher who is a conspiracy theorist, is often right about issues and believes literally and figuratively when he appeared on his Sirius XM Radio show and voiced his opinion. It turned surprising when he accused the Nats of rushing Washington's greatest back to the majors, just so they can sell out seats and persuade ticket buyers to purchase tickets for the 2012 season.

The perception of all of this is that most managers believe it's how hard the pitcher throws, not the number of innings pitched. Then again, relatively speaking, it depends on the pitcher himself. It's not too often that a pitcher return from Tommy John surgery earlier than the 12 to 18 month period, but amazingly for Strasburg, it has been exactly 11 months and he's already throwing in attempt to come back this season.

For the unthinkable to happen, he can use self-confidence and velocity in every aspect of his pitching. Lots of people are probably thinking and clearly realizes that he's the face of the franchise, earning a record-setting $15-million bonus contract, grabbing all the limelight with large expectations and plans for next season.

But upon a clearer understanding, really, if he's an amazing player and threw an impressive outing in his last start Sunday, why can't he wait until next spring and aim to be a historical 20-game winner? With his stuff, he is capable of winning so many games, a young fastball thrower who can really pitch and find his location after undergoing surgery.

He's a rare talent. Don't risk it now. There's next season.

Riggleman Opted to Leave, but for What?

It sounds more like an escape hatch than protecting his name in its entirety, a plea for future arrangements that guarantees Jim Riggleman a stable job status. The gimmick here, for a man who abruptly resigned, is that Riggleman was disgruntled with his contract and basically became aloof over endless disputes concerning a deal, unsure of what the future beheld after the Nationals had sharpened mightily.

No, the Nationals weren't quite relevant to be described as a contending ballclub, but under his power, the club had shown the significance of rehabilitation. What happened so suddenly is the stunning development of Riggleman's resignation, as we never foreseen him fleeing quickly from a franchise that built a relationship with the skipper.


Before we are carried away, when the culture has changed instantly, when the Nationals are stunned in disbelief and when it seems befuddling after Riggleman left on great terms at the highest level of success while at the helm in the managerial role, he departed the club with a twinge of anxiety and uneasiness. At this point, after managing the Nationals to 1-0 walk-off victory over the Mariners Thursday afternoon, he looks exhausted and mentally tired of his disposition as manager, almost revealed with his stare even though the ballclub that represents the nation's capital won its 11th game in the last 12 games.

It might not sound like a huge deal, but in reality, it is an enormous deal when he was insecure and uneasy about his eventual plans in the future. The possibility of not reaching the postseason might have scared him off, and midway in the hysteria of a 162-game season, Riggleman stepped down in spite of his players listening to his demands, having tremendous respect for a manager with a telling track record.

The trend of departures is bizarre if someone resigns from the managerial role because of unanimous issues in discussions of a larger deal. It's very rare that a manager opts to leave in the middle of a prosperous season, but the stunning news came. That was shortly after Riggleman reportedly told general manager Mike Rizzo, perhaps his explanation for his withdrawal. It surely is flabbergasting and it was because he's been discontent about his imminent status.

"If you don't extend me, I'm not getting on the bus after the game," Riggleman said.

But there is something awkward about the whole ordeal. We simply can't tell whether or not he has a grudge with the executives or even a few players, just as much as we can't tell whether he was hiding personal issues from us. It could have been a strategy to keep his troubles veiling, or even it could have been a farewell to his bosses. It's no telling what happened behind close doors. And maybe, as a result, he is using a dogma for the lack of commitment.

"To do this job, you have to feel there's a commitment to you," Riggleman said. "I didn't feel that. I just wanted to have a meeting in Chicago [on Friday]. They wouldn't do that."

If this was a newfound upstart for Riggleman and progress for the Nationals, then he wouldn't have stepped down at this juncture of the season. Rather, now more than ever, it's strange to acknowledge that Riggleman is selfish and essentially refraining from the burden of leading a ballclub on the fringe of prosperity. Poorly mishandled, but wise for avoiding a distraction, he was disgusted as the team option had not been exercised. Yet the Nationals were, instinctively, content with Riggleman in which such an inconceivable departure as he leaves the post, he was responsible for the Nationals increasingly climbing one game above .500, even with a ruckus drawing too much turbulence.

"Look at how well I've done to manage this team of average talent to a winning record in one of baseball's tougher divisions," Riggleman said.

From what we can make out of this, arrogantly representing himself as if he's a pompous individual, Riggleman was stubborn-minded in a situation that was mishandled. Quite simply, as the midpoint of the season looms, he was solicitous about not receiving a long-term contract to protect his job security. It is quite possible, if he kept the managerial job and ended the season with an astonishing finish, that Riggleman would have solidified his long-term status.


This in turn, either way, would have had an impact on his next managerial campaign with a multitude of clubs seeking for Riggleman's availability. In short, all of this is puzzling. The real challenge came when he carried a helpless ballclub with a 26-61 record in July 2009, transformed the emotions in the clubhouse and demanded wholeness and adherence. The rebirth of cultivating the Nationals, as a result, saw an enhanced track record when Washington played 33-42 for the remainder of the season.

The thought was that he'd exactly be managing the Nationals, particularly when he was rewarded with a one-year deal for $650,000 for 2011, with a club option at $700,000 for 2012, but the Nationals were unprepared to pick up the option. So, he exactly was expected to be the manager for the upcoming seasons, but bailed out too soon, too quickly, and foolishly. Once realizing that he clearly saved the Nationals, capable of leading Washington to the postseason, it was just too bad that they allowed him to resign without negotiating or handling the situation maturely.

If Rizzo ever cared to resolve the misunderstanding, he would have scheduled a meeting with Riggleman in Chicago on Friday to rectify the friction, an alternative in avoiding distractions at a time of prosperity. For the rest of the season, the Nationals will name bench coach John McLaren, who'll serve as manager for a few days until Washington name an interim manager, someone like Davey Johnson or Bob Boone. They are both fitting for the job, former major league managers with much familiarity in the Nationals organization.

He was, truly, a respected manager in baseball, but felt disrespected in a foundation that became competitive. Such an unseemly abandonment would batter his reputation and erase the competence he installed in Washington.

Let's Hear It For Bryce Harper: The Nationals Have Too Much Talent

For all the talk and hype of the overexposed phenom, upon the ultimate presumption of Bryce Harper, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2010 MLB Draft, it was the Washington Nationals birthright to reasonably offer baseball’s next megastar millions.

In the nation’s capital, the most complicated signing wasn’t poetic or plausible, even if he’s deemed as the “Chosen One” and the Most Exciting Prodigy Since LeBron,” a publicity gimmick featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated not long ago.

If each party had failed to reach a consensus before the clock struck midnight, it would have slightly been the most stunning development in baseball history.

By the time baseball’s amateur signing deadline loomed ever so closer, Harper and the Nationals reached an agreement on a fittingly $9.9 million, five-year deal. And finally, he agreed to terms on a contract, avoiding re-entry into the 2011 draft.

He rightfully so benefits from a franchise that is aiming to improve by building a legitimate force around the rookie sensation and No. 1 draft choice Stephen Strasburg, who accepted a record-breaking $15.1 million, four-year deal a year ago.

The anonymity continuously added to the possibility of losing out on the rights of the biggest name to generate such widespread consideration, and the near-casualties almost cost the franchise, but the Nationals were fortunate enough to considerably land the talented prospects.

Nationals' general manager Mike Rizzo pulled off a miracle as the clock almost struck midnight and offered Harper a comfortable deal. The diplomacy has empowered Rizzo to somehow urge stubborn agent Scott Boras.

In the end of all the eternal and intense conversations, the two negotiators were able to relate and eventually finalize a contract before deadline. Rizzo aggressively bid for Harper, who is compared to Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez for his abilities to connect in one swing and deposit homers.

If the folks residing in the nation’s capital are really fortunate to witness and anoint the high-profile stars, then it’s easy to say that baseball emerges as a relevant theme in a town where the game was very uneventful.

But the arrival of Strasburg uplifted the fans curiosity at National Park, urging a crowd to fill in the stands at the hottest venue and adore the magnetic star. His impressive debut in Washington defined a convincing performance.

In a short time span, he’s growing as a legend for repairing relevancy, and inserting a sense of pride on a disastrous franchise that suddenly is worth cheering and even watching regularly.

And now, we all know that Harper hit .443 with 31 homers and 98 RBIs at Southern Nevada, and became the second junior college player to win the Golden Spikes Award in 33 years.

Those were the days when he was the top amateur player in the nation and impressed scouts at such a young age.

Nowadays, he’s projected to claim stardom, but nonetheless lacks maturity that could raise concern.

In the past, he was tossed and suspended for arguing with an umpire during the Junior College World Series. This season, he was ejected for mocking opponents, and his trademark is grabbing all the unnecessary attention.


The symbolic eyeblack is the ugliest style ever seen and it’s not a game face, but the silliest face in sports.

If he is wearing his eyeblack all over the place when he takes the field in the near future, he would be identified as a clown on the field as if National Park is hosting the most entertaining circus.

But this is a whole new ballgame, and in reality, this is the Major Leagues, not the Little League or Junior League. In a town that is overwhelmed to possess the sensational catcher, who’ll be making a transition to outfielder, he’s badly needed to lift a franchise out of inferiority.

What we have now is a power-hitting 17-year-old, with the urgency and poise to rise at the major-league level and delight overjoyed fans. The signing of Harper was very significant for a franchise long awaiting prosperity.

In a celebration on Tuesday, team president Stan Kasten smashed a cream pie in Rizzo's face. It was well-deserving for a man who has constructed aspiration and life for a resuscitated franchise.

It’s easy enough to credit Rizzo for thinking intelligently in a rebuilding process, managing to sign the No. 1 pick before the midnight deadline.

Maybe he’s so persuasive, intriguing and brainwashing Boras' mind. Maybe he offers millions to satisfy players’ wishes, such as when Harper had finally signed to avoid declaring for the draft for the second straight year.

“[Harper] gives us another impact player in the system,” Rizzo said. “We feel we’ve really become a deep system with not only good major-league prospects but sprinkling in several impact-type players.

“He could possibly be a cornerstone of our lineup in the very near future.”

Oh, he will be a cornerstone, all right.

The accurate assumptions by Rizzo, the genius coming away victorious in every draft, are signs of motivation and self-confidence for Harper in the big leagues, increasing the raw talent of a versatile phenom.

For a battered franchise with limited goodness, the last thing the Nationals need is underperformers and faltering star players. By meeting expectations, Harper might instantly change the landscape and fuel a sense of happiness by accumulating victories and producing triumph for a harmless club.

If not, the Nationals in all likelihood would still earn attention nationwide and ratings may expand, simply for what could be a prodigy in the league, a gifted player with the knack to captivate viewers.

And then again, he might not adapt as quickly as most are predicting. But as advertised, he might not only be the face of the Nationals, but the face of baseball in general.

The hideous eyeblack conceivably is a useful concept that he could be the face of the majors.

First, if he wants to prove worthy and claim greatness, he will have to be called up from the minor-league system but the Nationals maintain the leverage on that one. If so, it’s easy to suggest that he’s a valuable piece. It is also rational to believe that he has the potential to be an All-Star.

If so, the fans kindly will elevate Harper’s notability at the highest level.

On the same night, the Nationals signed 25 of their top 26, including their second-round and fourth-round picks and left-handed pitcher Sammy Solis and right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole to contracts worth seven figures.

The common ritual for the Nationals is aggressively signing the deepest talent in the draft, despite almost losing out on Harper. The familiarity is discovered oftentimes on You Tube as the videos of his spectacular displays have brainwashed the nation.

From his features, he seems to be very legit and crafty in chasing and connecting with pitches by employing a powerful swing. But with all evidence that he’s self-absorbed and cocky, he is ranked atop all baseball prospects in a generation when his talent is admired globally, and most notably in Major League Baseball.

On Sunday, Strasburg's comments jolted the headlines when he boldly called out Harper for holding out.

Here’s what he had to let out. “If he doesn’t want to play here, then we don’t want him here.”

However, the comments he delivered were surprising, but may have been a reality check.

By all accounts, Harper wants to play in the District of Columbia.

But he is, nonetheless, represented by a greedy and influential agent. More interestingly, Strasburg is represented by Boras, too, and signed late as the deadline approached ever closer a year ago.

Aside from that drama, Harper is described as LeBron.

How?

He never hijacked television to announce how much the deal was worth with the Nationals, but agreed in terms before deadline.

By all means, he won’t need much time to develop or adapt to the highest level. After a monstrous college career, he must now translate similar attributes in the big leagues.

Is he the next greatest slugger and star in baseball?

Maybe he is the most talented 17-year-old and smartest kid, after skipping his final two years of high school to receive his GED and enter junior college to be drafted a year earlier.

With high expectations, he’s as advertised and won’t disappoint.

Suddenly, a lifelong dream likely becomes a lifetime accomplishment.

Nationals Raise Concern: Stephen Strasburg Uses Precautionary Actions

The boorish fans were in attendance to witness an uplifting tale in a sports town, where lifeless citizens reside near the nation’s capital, waiting for an extraordinary moment with the promising future of phenom Stephen Strasburg, the gifted right-hander declaring fame in a community after a marvelous start in his debut elicited much potential.

But of course, if the fans are anxious to be awed and glance at baseball’s magnet in the next decade, then booing the magnetic pitcher whose stardom is ripening quicker than the velocity of a hitless fastball, is honestly a misguided antic.

It sounds more like a disillusioned crowd that prefers to embrace an unhealthy rookie and watch Strasburg struggle from the mound, taking a huge risk and ignoring the signs of soreness and vulnerability, eventually blowing out his impressive arm.

In all likelihood, it was a common strategy for scratching Strasburg from the lineup Tuesday, whether it disappointed a sellout crowd or not, but it was a wise choice to take the flame-thrower out of the lineup to protect good health.

Realizing that he has to perform brilliantly and be the perennial ace with high expectations, he’s potentially the suitor and unique talent with ideal delivery, but he must stay robust and avoid a frequent trip to the disabled list. It’s too bad such a scary twinge of injuries postponed the odds of Strasburg transforming the dimension of an inferior club.

It’s unfortunate an MRI and X-rays revealed inflammation in his throwing arm, noticing the stiffness during warming up in the bullpen. That’s exactly what we never intending to witness or hear, amid a mediocre season when the grandiosity and brilliancy of the 22-year old pitcher heightened the relevancy in a paralyzed sport.

Better than the average rookie pitcher, it’s a rarity to discover a phenom as a cornerstone take the mound, strikeout batters with a speedy fastball, hitless changeup, nasty breaking ball and an invincible slurve, but Strasburg isn’t your ordinary pitcher.

Instead, he’s an artistic young pitcher with an earnest mindset, mastering his craft on the big league level, considering that being precautious is necessary for monitoring and weighing minor health issues.


Wisely enough, he likely will miss the next start on Sunday and could spend time on the disabled list. The irony of a dreaded letdown is that the Nationals are concerned whether he’s severely injured or was overused in his previous starts.

Yet it’s dangerous to wear down arms. He appears fatigued and has thrown 109 2/3 innings this season, matching the total of pitches he threw at San Diego State, where he emerged as a renowned prospect and baseball’s adorable savior.

If he’s the sweetest story in a fallen sport still overcoming the Steroid Era, a wrenched age that ruined the beauty of a traditional event in America, he needs to rest the ailing shoulder and minimize a heavy workload. If he’s thriving for a short-term career, he would pitch in his next start.

But if he’s planning for a long-term future, as the Nationals are a franchise not in conversations for the postseason, he should miss the next start and treat a minor ailment without throwing and putting tension on the damaged shoulder.

And if he’s the bait of baseball, exciting a national audience and getting the nod because of tremendous talent, it’s very pressing that he carefully nurtures health and heals to whereas he’s not aggravating the shoulder.

There’s much uncertainty as the Nationals are worried and petrified with their rising star’s well-being, realizing it’s inadvisable to overwork the shoulder of any pitcher, especially when bothered by what could be short-term damage and become career-threatening if the Nationals aren’t precautious and clears Strasburg too early than expected. He is seemingly a durable pitcher and fittingly he’s destined to stockpile individual awards in the majors.

In a couple of seasons, he could inspire worshippers by mastering plaudits and be elected to participate in at least a dozen All Star games, with his first appearance maybe next season. He is, in all likelihood, a Cy Young winner in a few seasons, but he must first maintain good condition to have the privilege at earning baseball’s most salient prize.

As he throws charmingly from the mound, he’s endorsed as baseball’s magnet and intrigues National Park, a venue curious relatively selling out seats with his sensational fastball alleged to have reached 103 mph. All this hype is worthy for mending the woes and mediocrity in a substandard, lousy Nationals franchise, emerging as the primary face in Washington and he’s prosperously talented at the nation’s capital.

If he’s already famous in an entire community for incredible talent, whenever he decides to retire on the mound he could flirt with the possibility of running for president, be elected and become a resident on Pennsylvania Avenue. By the logic that Strasburg overthrew and worn down his throwing shoulder, is a risky injury considering that he could damage a promising career and only last in the league a short time before he declines and suddenly becomes useless.

Among the uncertainty and jitters wandering in the minds of National manager Jim Riggleman and general manager Mike Rizzo, he was sent to the 15-day disabled list and he’s the latest scare in baseball with the slight possibility that he’s injury bound and endangered of suffering damage in his throwing shoulder. Because of his delivery, few believe he’s at higher risk of feeling exhaustion in his shoulder in which it could only be fatigued.

“They’re taking every precaution with me, obviously,” Strasburg said who is 5-2 with a 2.32 ERA, 75 strikeouts and 15 walks in 54 1/3 innings since the impressive debut.

In the meantime, he’s expected to resume minor activity and will play catch Sunday since the Nationals scratched Strasburg from the start. For now, he’s on the disabled list until he’s eligible to be deactivated Aug. 6, and hopefully return to usual form, without badly irritating the shoulder.

If he doesn’t take precautionary measures, he could turn out exactly like Mark Prior, David Clyde or Kerry Wood. It’s a bit frightening for a convincing rookie with a bright future, but until he’s ready to return, Miguel Batista is probable for making the next start.

Next time, the Nats have to be careful, and booing is unnecessary.

I Elect Stephen Strasburg For Midsummer Classic, So Should You...

A day doesn’t pass without a society raving about what sort of flowers Martha Stewart planted in her garden, what the future holds for the outrageous and craziness of Lindsay Lohan, or whether it’s relevant to elect baseball’s top phenom to start in the All-Star Game.

It’s another debate, I suppose, an endless fuss revolving around Stephen Strasburg, 21, the gifted right-hander who has a lethal fastball, a nasty slurve, a mean curveball and a hitless changeup.

It feels like baseball is amid a resuscitating stage, the one moment we never imagined in the wicked era of baseball, an age known as the Steroid Era.

This is the beginning of a renaissance, putting aside all the deceptiveness and torment that stained credibility with all the malign and insults, slowly ruining the purity of a commendable sport.

As the midsummer classic approaches, we are accustomed to Strasburg’s imposing debut when he almost completed the perfecto by finishing with no walks and 14 strikeouts at Nationals Park, the spacious creation that opened last season.

His presence alone sells out a crowd, watching for the improbable, gazing at his spectacular performances, and cheering on a triumphant mound appearance, to brace the future and savior of the Washington Nationals.

All this hype has evoked a sense of flirtation in baseball, impelling conversations near the water cooler within the workplaces and jacking up television ratings instantly for the 100-mph fastball that Strasburg throws effectively, able to influence viewers with his unbelievable flame throwers.

And if he continues to throw charmingly from the mound, he could someday run for president, be elected in office, and reside on Pennsylvania Avenue at the White House, a luxurious estate in the town of the nation’s capital.


He essentially darkens the facades, during a decade when drug emporiums tainted clubhouses and when Bud Selig, an irresponsible commissioner, was apathetic in asserting a performance-enhancing drug raid.

But it’s a fair assessment for the good people to elect Strasburg into the All-Star Game, a unique commodity that seems rare in sports. In addition, he has earned the credit to be worshipped as a premier pitcher of the league, currently with a 2.27 ERA and 48 strikeouts in five starts.

More importantly, he should be named as the starter in the midsummer classic, an exhibition for the fans that features the greatest and popular players in the game.

If this is a game for the fans, upon seeing well-deserving stars snubbed and disrespected by the fans selections, its only rationale that he should be participating in the upcoming festivities.

And if he isn’t voted in, it’s a travesty that will change how we judge the disorganized sport, bothered with ruthless calamity and empty seating in the majority of ballparks.

It is, at last, revising as a family event and an afternoon outing at the ballpark when the average family is willing to enjoy a three-hour game, despite all the deceit and controversy that positioned the facet of the league.

But in the name of Strasburg, there’s a concept that baseball is on the verge of making progress and visualizing aspiration in the growth and emergence of the sensational Strasburg.


This development is gratifying exposure as he has ballooned as the main attraction, putting all the ills to rest and restoring positivity among an attenuated sport. He was unbelievable in the minor leagues, and pitched in a historic major-league debut, releasing evidence that he really belongs in the midsummer festivities.

In a way, he’s the best young prospect we’ve seen in a long time and his popularity has skyrocketed since lifting the atmosphere within a helpless franchise.

All we care about is witnessing the best athletes polish in the game fans cast their votes, waiting for their favorite stars to dazzle at a moment the fans are watching closely after selecting well-suited players. If this is a game to appease the fans, on a night when all the top-tier sluggers and pitchers represents their franchises and features at the same ballpark, then shouldn’t the fans implore that the majors add Strasburg to the list of all-stars?

It’s fair, not to mention that he’s the hottest prospect in the game, that he’s worthy of starting in the midsummer meeting during the All-Star break, a moment the prize-winning players are represented.

Although it’s believed that he had an excellent first-half of the season and have became the focus of attention, drawing all the viewers across the country, he’s been ignored because he is still considered unproven after he merely pitched for the first-half of the season with no postseason experience.

This is a modern time when none of it matters, as a legion of pitchers and sluggers have appeared in the All-Star game without having any postseason experience. Whether you find it unanimous or not, it’s a no-brainer that he’s fittingly worthy of starting in the much-publicity setting, even though he pitched in the big leagues for less than a month.

But I’d like to speculate that it will invoke a controversy and would be considered an insult to the participants. If nothing else, he merits a spot on the NL roster with the big-name stars, proving to be a prolific name in the first-half.

It’s very telling that he’s the most inspiring recipe in the majors, shifting the texture of a sport upstaged by football and basketball, and appeases the population with his artful mechanics that has been a resource in consolidating reliance and trustworthiness.

There’s a written rule stating that every team must have a player representing their franchise which means Ryan Zimmerman, who is having an outstanding season and the frontrunner for the Nationals by hitting a mere .290 with 13 homers and 37 RBIs, shouldn’t be the top choice as fans and voters must turn the favor to Strasburg.

In the yesteryears, the majors have tried to resuscitate the relevancy of the midsummer classic, but it’s a game weakened and ignored each summer, despite adding implications to the event and made it meaningful unlike before when it was viewed as a pointless showpiece.

But if Strasburg’s name is suddenly announced as a starter and participant, he could make an immediate impact on the event and be a remedy in baseball.

He may provide the importance and excitement, but he’s on pace to appear in at least 10 All-Star Games in the future, if he isn’t entitled to a bid. By all accounts, given that he hasn’t pitched an entire first-half, he’s not being anointed as much as Ubaldo Jimenez and David Price, a pair of skillful stars with monstrous numbers and proven attributes.

But either way, a national audience desires witnessing the hottest and best athlete at the time or a young prospect, and that happens to be Strasburg.

As we debate whether he belongs in the game, I’d say he gets my vote.