Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who had surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome and hasn’t pitched in a game since June 2022, plans to retire, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.
After reporting nerve pain in his neck and shoulder following an offseason throwing session in February, Strasburg, 35, missed spring training and was put on the 60-day injured list before Opening Day.
He was shut down for the season in April, as he was unable to take part in any rehabilitation.
Strasburg’s plan to retire was first reported by The Washington Post.
A news conference has been scheduled for Sept. 9, the Post reported.
Strasburg has pitched just 31⅓ innings in three seasons since signing a seven-year, $245 million deal after winning World Series MVP honors in 2019 when Washington beat the Houston Astros in the Fall Classic.
In the 2019 regular season, Strasburg threw 209 innings and finished with an 18-6 record, then signed a seven-year, $245 million deal with the Nationals. In 2022, he made one appearance and pitched 4⅔ innings of a loss to the Miami Marlins on June 9, giving up seven earned runs on eight hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Strasburg, a three-time All-Star, has spent his entire 13-year major league career with the Nationals. He was the first overall pick in the 2009 draft out of San Diego State.
He is 113-62 with a 3.24 ERA over 247 career starts. His 1,723 strikeouts ranks first in Nationals franchise history.