Nationals fans were left holding their breath when ace pitcher Stephen Strasburg left Tuesday's game vs. the Marlins after the third inning with an apparent injury to his pitching shoulder.
Strasburg grimaced on a pitch to Ozuna in the first inning then again to Dee Gordon in the 2nd. Wasn't comfortable at all.
— Craig Heist (@cheistsports) May 6, 2015
Strasburg and Nationals manager Matt Williams confirmed after the game that the problem is in the shoulder area.
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#Nats Manager Matt Williams said Stephen Strasburg has some irritation underneath his shoulder blade.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 6, 2015
Strasburg said he felt discomfort underneath his right shoulder blade. Will see a chiropractor, thinks adjustment will help.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) May 6, 2015
Nats catcher Wilson Ramos and other teammates met with Strasburg on the mound early in the outing. Later, Nationals Williams and trainer Lee Kuntz went out there, but Strasburg stayed in the game and finished the third inning.
Strasburg threw 64 pitches and allowed two runs on four hits with two strikeouts before leaving. Fellow starting pitcher Doug Fister pinch-hit for Strasburg to lead off the bottom of the third. Sammy Solis took over for Strasburg in the top of the fourth.
Strasburg took the loss as Washington fell 2-1.