Nationals' Stephen Strasburg feels discomfort in arm during bullpen session
— -- LOS ANGELES --? Stephen Strasburg's return from injury hit a snag when the Washington Nationals pitcher experienced minor discomfort in his right arm while throwing a bullpen session Monday.
"He was supposed to throw 35 [pitches], but he felt a little discomfort so we stopped him at 30, 31," manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday. "He was throwing the ball pretty good; very good, actually. But we said if he felt anything, then just shut it down."
Strasburg threw his bullpen session two hours prior to Washington's 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, which gave?the Nationals a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five National League Division Series. It was the second time that Strasburg has thrown off a mound since going on the disabled list Sept. 7 with a strained flexor mass.
He threw off flat ground in the outfield prior to Tuesday's game.
In his first bullpen last Thursday, the 28-year-old right-hander threw fastballs and changeups. On Monday, he mixed in some curveballs.
Strasburg has been ruled out for the NLDS, but the Nationals hope he could return if the team advances. Baker indicated that Strasburg will continue with his throwing program, despite the abbreviated session Monday.
"Well, we think, yeah," Baker said. "See, I hate to tell you guys anything because then you're like worried to death and want to get me worried. No, it's no thing."
This is not the first time Strasburg has missed playoff action. In 2012, when the Nationals won their first division title, Strasburg was shut down in early September due to concerns about his health in the wake of his 2010 Tommy John surgery.
The top overall pick in 2009, Strasburg participated in Washington's second postseason appearance in 2014. He took the loss in Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants. This season, Strasburg was 15-4 with a 3.60 ERA. He was named an All-Star for the second time, following a first half in which he went 12-0 with a 2.62 ERA.
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