Poor Nationals fans. Just when they thought they had a savior for their franchise. Not only did they lose a bonafide number 1 starter, they also lost the 5th most marketable face in Major League Baseball. The culprit is a villain that has claimed many pitchers over the course of baseball history; tommy john surgery. Put simply, the main ligament in a pitcher's arm wears down, frays, and eventually tears from the repeated stress of throwing a baseball. Usually the culprit is poor pitching mechanics, but in Stephen's case, that doesn't appear to be the the reason.
So, from a pitcher's perspective, what does this mean. For starters, it will be a long lonesome road of rehab. Strasburg will go back to the Nationals spring training complex in the off season and report to the training room every day at 7 or 8am. After he has the surgery, he will begin a slow and arduous rehab that starts with light movement drills and will eventually get to throwing. That of course will be handled at the most careful pace possible with a star athlete such as Strasburg. Typically, the rehab process has gotten perfected so much that sometimes pitchers can come back in as little as 10 months. I doubt they will rush things with Strasburg, but another side affect that seems to come along Tommy John Surgery as the pitcher is able to refine his delivery and even gain velocity. Now, I doubt Stephen will be able to eclipse 103mphs, but I guess you never know.
One thing is for certain however. The Nationals will continue to take care of Strasburg as if he is the savior of their team. Quite frankly, I don't blame them. Even a hurt Strasburg will generate media attention and keep the Nationals relevant as their other star, Bryce Harper comes along.
I'll talk more in depth about TJ surgery in another post, but in the meantime, here's to a speedy recovery and even more velocity this time next year.
Until Next Time!
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