Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg Added to Injured List, Sparking Debate on Contract Dispute

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been placed on the 60-day injured list before their game against Cincinnati. This news comes after Strasburg, the 2019 World Series MVP, has been sidelined since June 2022 due to career-altering injuries. Despite having three seasons left on a seven-year, $245 million contract, Strasburg contemplated retirement in late August without holding a news conference.

The Nationals indicated in September that they anticipated his return at spring training, although Strasburg did not report to their training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. The presence of Strasburg on the roster primarily impacts a protected spot for the Rule 5 draft in December. He is owed $35 million annually, with a portion of the amount deferred at a 1% interest rate. The deferred payments are scheduled to be made in equal installments on July 1 in 2027, 2028, and 2029, with an additional interest payment due on December 31, 2029.

In addition to Strasburg’s situation, the Nationals made other roster moves by selecting the contracts of Matt Barnes, Derek Law, Eddie Rosario, and Jesse Winker from Triple-A Rochester. Barnes and Rosario will each earn $2 million salaries while in the major leagues, while Law will receive $1.5 million. Meanwhile, Cade Cavalli (recovering from Tommy John surgery), Jose Ferrer (suffering from a left lat strain), and Stone Garrett (currently in recovery from left ankle reconstruction surgery) were placed on the 60-day injured list.