CINCINNATI — Pitcher Stephen Strasburg was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Washington Nationals before Thursday’s first game in Cincinnati.
The 2019 World Series MVP has not played baseball since June 2022 due to injuries that have disrupted his career. He still has three seasons remaining on a $245 million, seven-year contract.
Strasburg made the decision to retire in late August, but the Nationals revealed in September that there would be no retirement press conference. Owner Mark Lerner stated in a release at the time that the team anticipated seeing Strasburg at spring training.
The 35-year-old right-handed pitcher did not show up at the Nationals facility in West Palm Beach, Fla. The only practical consequence of his presence on the roster is that it occupies a protected spot for the Rule 5 draft in December.
Strasburg earns $35 million yearly, with $11,428,571 annually deferred 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 Dec. 31, 2029.
Adjusting the money Strasburg is owed might be included in a retirement agreement.
Washington also chose the contracts of right-handers Matt Barnes and Derek Law, along with outfielders Eddie Rosario and Jesse Winker from Triple-A Rochester. Barnes, Rosario, and Winker receive $2 million salaries while in the major leagues, and Law receives $1.5 million.
The Nationals also put right-handers Cade Cavalli and Mason Thompson (Tommy John surgery) and left-hander Jose Ferrer (left lat strain) on the 60-day injured list, and outfielder Stone Garrett (recovery from left ankle reconstruction surgery) on the 10-day injured list, a move retroactive to March 25.
