Stephen Strasburg has endured a difficult season for the Washington Nationals, and it doesn't appear like it's going to get better anytime soon, as he was lifted from a start against the Miami Marlins on Sunday with a back injury, per Chase Hughes of CSN.
Continue for updates.
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Sunday, Aug. 30
Hughes noted Strasburg is dealing with "discomfort in his upper back." Chris Johnson of MASN Sports noted Strasburg's velocity seemed to be down on Sunday and that it was the second time he gave up more than one home run in a single game this season.
Strasburg has had a fascinating career arc, which started with Tommy John surgery in his rookie season four years ago. The right-hander showed no ill effects from the operation, making at least 30 starts in each of the previous two seasons and tying for the National League lead in strikeouts last year.
Yet 2015 has seen Strasburg fall completely off track. He missed nearly one month in a stint on the disabled list and has never really recovered from those early-season woes.
The Nationals are 5.5 games behind the New York Mets in the NL East and 7.5 games out of a wild-card spot in the National League. Strasburg has struggled this season, but losing him for the stretch run can hardly be seen as a good thing for a team that's struggled with consistency all season.
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