Marlins end Stephen Strasburg's season

    WASHINGTON -- The Nationals were planning to give Stephen Strasburg one more start before placing him in mothballs. But, one day after watching the Marlins knock him around, the Nationals decided to wait no longer. Strasburg was informed this morning that his season was over.

    "Mentally and physically, Stephen looked like he was fatigued," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo. "It's the prudent time to pull the plug on Stras."

     The Marlins peppered Strasburg for five runs on six hits -- including a pair of homers -- before knocking him out after the third. It was the second time in less than two weeks that the Marlins have gone to town on Strasburg, who had held them scoreless for 27 consecutive innings at one point earlier in the season. But the division-leading Nationals, who are closing in on the organization's first playoff berth, have said since February that, in order to protect him for the future, they would not allow Strasburg to pitch the entire season. Strasburg is two years removed from Tommy John surgery, and Rizzo said the Nationals made their decision after looking carefully at medical and performance data involving pitchers who have had elbow ligament replacement surgery.

     The plan was for Strasburg to make one final start next week in New York. But after watching him struggle Friday, Rizzo said he and Nationals manager Davey Johnson decided to "pull the plug on him" immediately.

     "It's a plan we've had since February 1, so I don't think people should be surprised," Rizzo said.

     One way or another, it's a gutsy call.

     Question: Given that the Nationals are in the September stretch drive and a team from Washington hasn't appeared in the postseason since 1933, are they making the right decision about Strasburg? How would you feel if the Marlins were in the Nationals' shoes and decided to shut down their staff ace a month away from possible postseason glory?

Comments

[enough with this ragarm, already]

Can the Marlins end Zambranos season?

[Camera Mike]

Just be happy Big Z will not be back next season

[bob]

After that shelling yesterday, and pitching 60+ pitches in 2 innings, I say the Natinals are making the right choice here.

If it were the Marlins in the Natinals', though, I would say to let him rest, keep up his training routine, and give him one more start before the end of the season, just to see if he is ready for the post-season.

[Camera Mike]

Putting in Dunn only means one thing, the lead is done.

[ozzholes words of wisdom]

Ozzhole came out to talk to Ramos,next pitch ends up in the LF stands...another Ozzhole moment,brought to you by El Gordo Loria y pingapequeno Samson

[Marlin Fan]

Another disgraceful performance by the bullpen an the genius

[Camera Mike]

Do you think nature is sending Ozzie a message on putting Bell in?

[bob]

I hope nature sends Loria a message, or sends MLB a message to end this disaster.

[Camera Mike]

Dammit Ozzie what led you to believe it was a good idea to let Bell warm up again. No outs and a home run, good call.

[D.O.G.]

The message was sent..even Mother Nature hates Heath Bell...

[Camera Mike]

It is beyond time to simply cut Heath Bell

[grim reaper]

Before they cut him ,he should be bludgeoned.

[HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA]

another choke job

[Camera Mike]

This loss is entirely on Ozzie. I wouldn't be upset if we fired him tonight.

[Marlin Fan]

Hey Bell is now tied for the lead with the mist blown saves in MLB ( and that says nothing if other games he couldn't get the job done but was not a save opportunity) .

I was listening in radio during the rain delay and the moron ( not the older gemtleman, who I think is in the broadcaster HOF) in the booth feels ( A's does Ozzie) that for the best chance of success for next yr is Bell as a closer and maybe Cishek as set man. REALLY ????? how many more times does he need to blow games to figure out he's done ????
The guy also feels Solano is not an everyday player . People may disagree , but I feel absolutely . He's been playing everyday and producing both in the field and at bat with each game more he plays . No power a singles / gap hitter , really what is Boni . Besides WHO ELSE do we have ???? Worry about third base , and first . The announce still feels like Lomo is going to step in and hit 25-30 hr .

[Stan M]

Thank goodness that Ozzie pulled Buhrle after 7 innings. Or we might have actually won the game.

Every game I now tune in to see how Ozzie will screw it up. Not only does he make questionable pitching changes, but his tactical moves often leave one wondering. Why Lee is still playing and taking the place of a prospect is beyond reason.

I see no reason to replace Beinfest if it's one of his assistents who gets the job. Is he the guy who got us Solarno and Ruggiano for next to nothing? And I'm not at all disappointed with his 2 big trades.If Loria eats Bell's contract, I can't see him spending on someone else, and that's frightening.

[Baseball on the Radio]

The announcer on the radio ,Glenn Geffner,is a blatent homer,paid by the Marlins ,to say ridiculous B.S about them. His credibility is zero.

[Marlin Fan]

Couldn't agree more about Geffner. He also thought the Astros should invite Clemens to spring training to sell tickets !?!?!?
So Marlins have a 3-0 lead in 4th with Nolasco breezing thru. The 7th should start the parade of misfits from the pen to blow another one . Hope I'm
Wrong. ......really like the way Solano and Brantly have been swinging the bat.

[Marlin Fan]

Wow , Nolasco was allowed to finish . He actually went over 100 pitches and is still alive Ozzie. His last pitch was 94 I think . Beautiful . Let theyoung starters go 7 an JJ and Bhuerhle 8 , if they don't walk people or give up alot of hits . Stop being a slave to pitch counts . Good win .

[Lou]

Dear Marlin Fan, Don't be a slave to pitch counts but also don't behave like Senor Smokes(That would be Jim Leyland also known as the Carcinogenic Caretaker) who has had Justin Verlander throw twice!!!!! as many 100 pitch counts as any other pitcher in the last 20 years. I believe Verlander may now be hurt as a result of drop in velocity and utilization of many more off speed pitches.

[Marlin Fan]

Well , I mean in moderation . Not every game or ever pitcher . Some pitchers can go into deeper pitch counts ( within reason , say 110, MAYBE 115) .Again this would not be ever start . No matter howuch a pitcher is handled with " kid gloves" in their development ( Strasbeg) an arm blow out/ problem can still occur . If we go with the Leo Manzoni practice of a pitcher gets stronger with more pitching .