OK they said it's possible that he comes back, but you have to think that the recovery is going to be a couple weeks of rest - another MRI to see how it has done healing - then a decision about the season. If he isn't completely without any signs of injury then they'd HAVE to HAVE to shut him down. Right? Right.
If he is I suppose he could work in a couple light starts and go into the playoffs but I don't see that happening. So take all the playoffs things I said to heart. If Strasburg pitches again this year - I'll eat my CAP. (Ummmm Capicola, uhhh Aoili, Provolone sandwich - oh good I can get a new Twitter picture!)
Could it be worse? Well it still can! He could need surgery and that could have a long recovery time. however - not a TJ at least opens up the possibility that it's not that. Which is good.
Hallelujah.
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck is a "flexor mass"? They invent something new in the elbow to break?
ReplyDeleteAW - He's one of the bosses in Final Fight in the arcades I think. Stage 5. Big Bodybuilder type.
ReplyDeleteThere is one other possibility though. Strasburg rests for another 2 weeks and then slowly starts to ramp up, but the season ends before he gets any more starts in. It's game 3 in the playoffs with the Nats against the Dodgers. The Nats are up 1 after Gio throws 110 pitches in 6 innings. The camera pans down to the pen to see who the Nats get to warm up and there's Strasburg taking off his jacket.
ReplyDeleteI think it is the best possible news. You knew it wouldn't be negative. The recovery I am reading is 4 weeks or longer. I would target game 4 or 5 of NLDS. Sherzer could start game 1 and 4 (if needed) on 3 days rest with Strasburg for game 5. Sherzer could go game 1 and 5 with Strasburg targeting game 4 start. 4 weeks is October 5 or 6. Game 4 is Oct 11 and Game 5 Oct 13. Andrew Miller missed about 1 month, so even Game 3 would be possible October 10 with that timetable. Problem is will he need to build up arm strength again? I think if Joe Ross is healthy, I would count on Ross most likely in NLDS. My hope would then be for Strasburg to go in NLCS if they make it there. NLCS starts October 15 and Game 4 October 19. My guess is that they are hoping Strasburg can make it back for at least part of the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteWe'll see. No matter what happens, this is better than Tommy John again. He is going to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache for a second opinion. Common procedure for the Nats. As long as he agrees, then I will stop worrying.
Donald - I think I've seen that movie. But you give Gio too much credit. More like 3 innings and 7 earned runs. (Oops. Not in the playoffs, I guess.)
ReplyDeleteDonald - I think I've seen that movie. But you give Gio too much credit. More like 3 innings and 7 earned runs. (Oops. Not in the playoffs, I guess.)
ReplyDeleteThat wasn't a good start by Cole, but it also wasn't really worse than what Gio has been doing.
ReplyDeleteWhat's that over used definition of insanity again?
ReplyDeleteOh yeah: running Cole, Giolito, and Gio out there and expecting them to NOT give up 4-6 runs in 2-4 innings.
Give me Ross for three innings then Robles or Reyes (or whatever his name is) for 3 innings.
Oooh, look at the pretty avatars. That's new.
ReplyDelete@Froggy: Robles is the outfield prospect. Reyes is the latest in the Cardinals' endless train of young pitching prospects. Did you mean Reynoldo Lopez?
Personally, I think 6 innings, 4 runs is a perfectly reasonable expectation for a Gio start, but that fourth game with Cole/Lopez/Giolito looks like a lost cause unless the offense somehow goes nuclear.
Mat Latos apparently had this same injury in 2014. Who knew flexor mass strains were contagious? *tinfoil hat*
Yes Dezo, thanks...I was on a plane late last night.
DeleteThree man rotation? I think Latos has a real shot at the postseason roster.
ReplyDelete