Washington Nationals rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg may need season-ending Tommy John surgery to replace a torn elbow ligament is his throwing arm.
Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo said Strasburg will get a second opinion from another doctor Friday, but emphasized that the team wants to pursue treatment as soon as possible. If Strasburg undergoes surgery, his season would be over.
"It's depressing in a sense, but I look at the brighter side," Rizzo told Bloomberg News. "I look at Tommy John surgery as a surgery that we've had great success at. We've got a big, powerful, young 22-year-old right-handed pitcher with power stuff. The success rate for guys coming back from Tommy John and retaining that stuff is very good."
Strasburg is considered one of the baseball's young stars. He has a 100-mph fastball and he struck out a record 41 batters in his first four major league starts. He's recorded a 5-3 record and a 2.91 earned-run average since making his major league debut in June.
Unfortunately, Strasburg has also been on the disabled list twice. Strasburg tore his elbow ligament during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. The injury was initially diagnosed as a strained ligament.
Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo said Strasburg will get a second opinion from another doctor Friday, but emphasized that the team wants to pursue treatment as soon as possible. If Strasburg undergoes surgery, his season would be over.
"It's depressing in a sense, but I look at the brighter side," Rizzo told Bloomberg News. "I look at Tommy John surgery as a surgery that we've had great success at. We've got a big, powerful, young 22-year-old right-handed pitcher with power stuff. The success rate for guys coming back from Tommy John and retaining that stuff is very good."
Strasburg is considered one of the baseball's young stars. He has a 100-mph fastball and he struck out a record 41 batters in his first four major league starts. He's recorded a 5-3 record and a 2.91 earned-run average since making his major league debut in June.
Unfortunately, Strasburg has also been on the disabled list twice. Strasburg tore his elbow ligament during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. The injury was initially diagnosed as a strained ligament.
