Stephen Strasburg made just two starts in 2020’s 60-game COVID campaign before he had surgery for carpal tunnel neuritis in his right hand. Coming off a 2019 World Series MVP nod and having signed 7-year/$245M deal after briefly testing the free agent market, the ‘09 No. 1 overall pick ended up throwing a total of five innings last summer, but the expectation was that the 32-year-old right-hander would be able to make a full recovery and return in 2021.
Back in mid-December 2020, both GM Mike Rizzo and Nationals’ skipper Davey Martinez updated reporters on Strasburg’s progress as he rehabbed from the surgical procedure.