Dr. Lewis Yocum: 'I Wasn't Asked' About Stephen Strasburg Shutdown (UPDATED)

Stephen Strasburg Shutdown: Pitcher 'Not Too Happy' About End Of His Season

The Washington Nationals announced Saturday they would be shutting down Stephen Strasburg effective immediately, one start prior than the team's original plan. Manager Davey Johnson said that after Friday night's lackluster outing, he felt it was time for Strasburg to be shut down for the season, and general manger Mike Rizzo agreed. Asked after Saturday's 7-6 win over the Marlins about the shutdown, Strasburg admitted to being 'not too happy' about his season being over. Via Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post:

Strasburg showed some fire. "Honestly, I'm not too happy about it. I want to keep pitching out there."

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) September 8, 2012

Stephen Strasburg angry at shutdown: "I don't I'm ever going to accept this."

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) September 8, 2012

Veteran lefty John Lannan, who spent much of the season pitching for Class AAA Syracuse, will replace Strasburg in the rotation, beginning Wednesday night against the Mets.

For more on the Nationals, head over to Federal Baseball and continue to check out SB Nation DC for the latest news and updates.

Stephen Strasburg Shutdown: Mike Rizzo Addresses Whether Debate Became 'Distraction' For Nationals

The debate over the shutdown of Stephen Strasburg has raged all season, picking up in intensity since the All-Star break. But Strasburg's season came to an end last night, with an unremarkable home start that lasted just three innings.

After the game, Davey Johnson said he thought the shutdown debate had worn down Strasburg mentally and was a distraction on the hill last night.

Johnson had also indicated that the discussion over the shutdown had become a distraction for the team, a notion that GM Mike Rizzo dismissed on Saturday (via Patrick Reddington of Federal Baseball):

The GM hadn't yet spoken to Strasburg though he said Davey Johnson had extensive conversations with the 24-year-old pitcher. Though the Nats' skipper said he thought it had become a distraction for the team, Rizzo did not. "I don't think it became distraction whatsoever," Rizzo said, "This team is battle-tested. They're a terrific major league ballclub with great makeup and guys that know how to prepare for the games and you could tell by the product on the field that this had no lingering effect whatsoever."

Rizzo addressed the media with several candid comments on Saturday, defending the organization's decision to end their ace's season. While they seem to disagree about the distraction issue, Rizzo and Johnson are certainly on the same page about the shutdown and are comfortable with their decision.

For more on the Nationals, head over to Federal Baseball and continue to check out SB Nation DC for the latest news and updates.

Stephen Strasburg Shutdown: John Lannan To Replace Strasburg In Rotation

With the news Saturday that Washington Nationals righthander Stephen Strasburg would be shut down for the rest of the season, a game earlier than expected, it is officially time for the team to implement Plan B and replace a 15-6 record and 3.16 ERA in the starting rotation. That task falls to veteran lefthander John Lannan. Via Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider:

John Lannan will take Strasburg's spot, start Wednesday at Mets.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 8, 2012

Lannan spent much of the season at Class AAA Syracuse after being passed over for a starting rotation spot out of spring training. He went 9-11 with a 4.30 ERA for the Chiefs, but ended the year on a high note with back-toback complete game shutouts. Lannan also made two spot starts for the big league club during early season doubleheaders.

For more on the Nationals, head over to Federal Baseball and continue to check out SB Nation DC for the latest news and updates.

Stephen Strasburg Shutdown: General Manger Mike Rizzo Comments

Saturday morning, Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson announced that Stephen Strasburg would be shut down for the remainder of the season, effective immediately, one start earlier than expected. Johnson made the decision after seeing the young right-hander struggle through his Friday night start against the Miami Marlins. Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider has general manager Mike Rizzo's response to the shutdown decision:

Rizzo said he agreed with the decision, citing both the physical fatigue he saw from Strasburg over the second half of the season and the mental fatigue he saw last night.

"I think the accumulation of the focus problems and the physical fatigue took its toll on him," Rizzo said. "I think what the doctors had prescribed for him, the innings parameters, were right on. It was a prudent time to pull the plug. It was a plan we had since Feb. 1. I don't think too many people should be surprised by it."

Lefthander John Lannan will take Strasburg's spot in the Washington rotation.

For more on the Nationals, head over to Federal Baseball and continue to check out SB Nation DC for the latest news and updates.

Stephen Strasburg Shut Down 'Effective Immediately'

Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson announced Saturday morning that right handed ace Stephen Strasburg has been shutdown, effective immediately.

PHOTO: Robin Ficker Passes Out 'Let Steve Decide' Signs At Nationals Park

Stephen Strasburg Shutdown: 'I'm In It With These Guys ... I'm Going To Fight With Them Til The End.'

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo took the "shutdown" decision out of Stephen Strasburg's hands because he knows the pitcher would take the ball.

Stephen Strasburg Fighting Shutdown "To The End" With Davey Johnson

Pretty much everyone around the Nationals organization has come to term with Stephen Strasburg's impending shutdown as the young ace reaches his innings limit for the season. Everybody, that is, except for Strasburg himself.

Manager Davey Johnson announced Strasburg would pitch two more starts this year, meaning a projected start on Sept. 12 against the Mets will be his last for the year. Strasburg, who just pitched a two-hit, no-run outing Sunday against St. Louis, understandably doesn't want his season to end.

Strasburg also said of Johnson's plans, "I am going to fight with him to the end. That is all I got to say."

Strasburg says that although he is focused on his next start he plans on having a "sit down" with his manager "real soon" to discuss allowing him to pitch. Earlier, Strasburg had said the team would need to "rip the ball out" of his hands if they wanted to shut him down, and he's sticking to that mentality.

The Nationals deserve credit for following through with their plan to sustain their pitcher's long-term health, even as they head into the team's first postseason since moving to Washington. Strasburg also deserves credit for wanting the ball in his hands instead of ending a spectacular season early.

For more on the Nationals, head over to Federal Baseball and continue to check out SB Nation DC for the latest news and updates.

Stephen Strasburg Shutdown: Pitcher Has Two More Starts

Stephen Strasburg pitched six scoreless innings on Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park, allowing just two hits while striking out nine Cardinals batters in a 4-3 Washington win over visiting St. Louis. After the game, manager Davey Johnson shed some light on the most popular topic in town, the impending shutdown of Strasburg. Via Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post:

Davey: two more starts for Strasburg.

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) September 2, 2012

Strasburg's last start, barring any rainouts, will be September 12 against the New York Mets. After Sunday's win, Strasburg is 15-6 with a 2.94 ERA in 156.1 innings. His next scheduled start will occur September 7 against the Florida Marlins.

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