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In the immediate aftermath of Stephen Strasburg's brief, grimace-filled three-inning outing against the Miami Marlins in the nation's capital this week, both the right-hander and Washington Nationals' skipper Matt Williams said they weren't too concerned about the issue he experienced with his shoulder being a long-term problem.
"He's got a little issue underneath his shoulder blade," Williams told reporters. "Had it last start. Could be an alignment issue. But as he finishes pitches it grabs him every once in a while.
"Tonight it got a little bit worse. So we'll have to have the chiropractor look at him. Shoulder is good, elbow is good."
"I mean, it's something that's been lingering," Strasburg said.
"I just felt it more and more, and I feel like it was something that -- I feel like I could have gone through it, but at this point in the season you just want to get it right and not alter your mechanics too much and I think that's the big thing is that when I did feel it I started kind of feeling for it."
Strasburg compared the discomfort he felt to what happens, "... if you're driving a car fast over speed bumps, it's kind of a little irritation, kind of rattles the cage a little bit."
The Nationals' 26-year-old, '09 no.1 overall pick played catch on Wednesday, after the Nats' 7-5 win over the Marlins, but there was no update for reporters, though Washington Post writer James Wagner quoted, "two people familiar with the situation," who said, "...the issue is concentrated in Strasburg’s back and shoulder-blade area, and is not considered concerning."
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported on Twitter that his sources told him it was more of a cramp:
Told Strasburg issue was "a cramp." Chiropractor adjusted him today, was throwing on field after game.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 6, 2015
Before this afternoon's game, Williams updated reporters in the nation's capital on Strasburg's status:
Strasburg reported feeling better today, MW said. Chiropractor visit helped. Whether he makes his next start hinges on his bullpen session.
— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) May 8, 2015
Williams said Strasburg reported to park today "feeling good." Would need to throw in bullpen tomorrow to start Monday.
— Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) May 8, 2015
Williams said Stephen Strasburg reported to #Nats Park feeling fine. Will know if he can make next start after bullpen session tomorrow.
— Chris Johnson (@masnCJ) May 8, 2015
As noted in the tweeted reports above, Strasburg will have to get a bullpen session in before his next scheduled start on Monday night in Arizona.
"'It is what we told you,'" Williams said, as quoted by NatsInsider.com's Mark Zuckerman.
"'It’s exactly what I told you. We look to the alignment. And it’s what Stephen said, too. He felt like it was a little clunky in there as he was extending. So that’s what it is. But like I said, he reported today feeling pretty good.'"
Strasburg's bullpen session will need to take place tomorrow if he's going to make his next start, though Williams said there was some wiggle room with the possibility of starting Max Scherzer on regular rest on Monday and pushing Strasburg's start back a day.
Strasburg says chiropractor made "night & day" difference. Plans to throw bullpen Sat. About next start: "I'm feeling pretty good right now"
— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) May 8, 2015
Strasburg says he feels good. Chiropractor worked wonders. "It was instant," he said. Will throw a bullpen session tomorrow.
— Tom Schad (@Tom_Schad) May 8, 2015
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