Stephen Strasburg only went 56 pitches into his start against the Philadelphia Phillies before Nationals' manager Jim Riggleman pulled the plug on his start after he developed arm pain in the fifth inning. Mark Zuckerman details the action:
Strasburg immediately looked down at his right arm and then shook it around after throwing his 56th pitch of the night. After a few seconds, Ivan Rodriguez joined him at the mound, followed immediately by manager Jim Riggleman, pitching coach Steve McCatty and trainer Lee Kuntz.
Despite pleas from Strasburg to remain in the game, Riggleman wouldn't listen to his rookie pitcher. Strasburg departed with a disgusted look on his face, replaced by Craig Stammen with the Nationals leading 5-1.
Ben Goessling of MASN speculates Strasburg could have developed a blister, but also noted the team's training staff was taking a look at his forearm as well.