Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg reportedly shut down from physical activity again due to 'severe nerve damage'

MLB: Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 28: Washington Nationals injured pitcher Stephen Strasburg in the dugout during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park September 28, 2022. Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) hit a single in the 10th inning to seal the walk-off win, 3-2 over the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

By Tyler Greenawalt, Yahoo Sports

Stephen Strasburg's return to the mound took another hit after the Washington Nationals reportedly shut down the pitcher from physical activity for the foreseeable future, according to the Washington Post's Jesse Dougherty.

Strasburg, 34, last pitched on June 9, 2022, when he allowed eight hits and seven earned runs in 4.2 innings. Four days later, the Nationals placed Strasburg on the injury list with shoulder discomfort and he's yet to see the mound since.

Injuries have plagued Strasburg's career ever since he won the 2019 World Series MVP and signed a seven-year, $245 million contract. He's made only eight mound appearances since 2020 after he continued to suffer from nerve pain in his throwing arm over the past three seasons.

Strasburg started two games in 2020 after he began the COVID-shortened season on the injured list and underwent surgery to address carpal tunnel syndrome in his throwing hand. He started two games in 2021 before he landed on the IL, then started three more games before he underwent season-ending surgery on July 27, 2021, to correct thoracic outlet syndrome. And in 2022, Strasburg once again started on the IL, started one game, and finished on the IL.

He missed spring training this year and was placed on the 60-day injured list ahead of Opening Day. While Strasburg is eligible to return soon, sources told Dougherty that Strasburg hasn't performed any rehabilitation activities for more than a month due to “severe nerve damage.”

Strasburg reportedly attempted to increase his rehab three different times over the winter but continued to feel discomfort on his right side. He still has three years left on his contract but the Nationals did not get injury insurance for Strasburg's deal, sources told Dougherty, because the premiums for such a policy would be "extremely high" due to the pitcher's injury history. Strasburg also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2010.

The former No. 1 pick in 2009 has pitched 1,470 innings for the Nationals with a 113-62 record. Strasburg also has a career ERA of 3.24, a 1.096 WHIP and 1,723 strikeouts.