Pitcher Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals has been placed on the 60-day injured list ahead of the team’s game in Cincinnati. The 2019 World Series MVP has been dealing with injuries that have impacted his career and has not pitched since June 2022. Strasburg still has three seasons remaining on his seven-year, $245 million contract. Initially, Strasburg announced his retirement in late August, but the Nationals did not hold a retirement news conference. The team stated that they looked forward to seeing Strasburg at spring training, but the 35-year-old right-hander did not report to the Nationals facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. The only practical impact of him being on the roster is that it takes up a protected spot for the Rule 5 draft in December.
Strasburg receives $35 million annually, with an amount of $11,428,571 deferred each year at 1% interest. The deferred money is payable in equal installments of $26,666,667 on July 1 in 2027, 2028, and 2029, with an interest payment of $3,999,974 on December 31, 2029. There may be negotiations regarding restructuring the money owed to Strasburg as part of a retirement agreement. In addition to Strasburg, the Nationals selected the contracts of right-handers Matt Barnes and Derek Law, as well as outfielders Eddie Rosario and Jesse Winker from Triple-A Rochester. Barnes, Rosario, and Winker will have $2 million salaries while in the major leagues, and Law will receive $1.5 million.
Additionally, the Nationals placed right-handers Cade Cavalli and Mason Thompson, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, and left-hander Jose Ferrer, who has a left lat strain, on the 60-day injured list. Outfielder Stone Garrett, who is recovering from left ankle reconstruction surgery, was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 25.