Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg will miss his first start of the season Saturday night as he deals with a nerve problem in his right hand, manager Dave Martinez said.
Strasburg was scheduled to pitch against the New York Yankees at Nationals Park. Martinez said right-hander Erick Fedde (4-2, 4.50 ERA in 2019) will fill in.
Martinez said Strasburg is listed as day-to-day because of the nerve issue, which the pitcher felt in his exhibition-game appearance on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles. He surrendered one run and scattered six hits over five innings in that game.
The discomfort is limited to Strasburg’s hand and isn’t affecting his arm, Martinez said.
Strasburg, 32, is entering his 11th season with the Nationals, who made him the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2009. Last season, he led the National League in wins (18) and innings (209) while striking out 251.
In the postseason, he posted a 5-0 record in six starts, defeating the Houston Astros twice as the Nationals won their first World Series championship. He was named MVP of the series.
The Nationals re-signed him to a seven-year, $245 million deal last December.
