Nationals’ oft-injured Strasburg retires
Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg announced his retirement on Sunday, officially ending the 2019 World Series MVP’S injury-filled career.
Since leading Washington to its only World Series title five years ago, the 35-year-old Strasburg has pitched just 311/3 innings in eight starts.
“I realized after repeated attempts to return to pitching, injuries no longer allow me to perform at a Major League level,” Strasburg said in a statement.
GM Mike Rizzo, who selected Strasburg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 amateur draft, said the right-hander was on “the Mount Rushmore of the Nationals.”
“When he was on the mound, he was as good as any pitcher in baseball — ever,” Rizzo said.
Strasburg went 113-62, sporting a 3.24 ERA over 13 seasons, and made three All-star appearances. He led the National League with 18 victories in 2019 and then delivered a dominant post-season, going 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA over six appearances. That memorable run included wins in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series in Houston.
Strasburg underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, a nerve and blood disorder that led to the removal of a rib and two neck muscles.
Having ended Liverpool’s quadruple challenge, Manchester United looked set to deliver a major blow to Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of bowing out at the end of the season with a second Premier League title.
Time will tell just how damaging Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford will be to the Merseyside club in the three-way fight at the top of the table, but it could have been so much worse, if not for Mohamed Salah’s late goal on a penalty kick to save the day.
After victories by Arsenal and Manchester City on Saturday, Liverpool was heading toward a second defeat to United, after losing in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup last month.
The draw moved Liverpool level on points with first place Arsenal, but behind on goal difference. City sits a point behind in third place in an ever-tightening title race.
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook New York City on Friday as the Yankees went through batting practice before their home opener.
Three days later, the Yankees will play after another natural phenomenon. At least this one will be expected. Monday’s solar eclipse will see parts of Upstate New York being in its path of totality.
The Yankees host the Marlins at 6:05 p.m. in a game that was pushed back four hours because of the potential for delays. The first 15,000 fans to arrive will receive a Yankees solar eclipse T-shirt.
Manager Aaron Boone was unsure on Sunday whether the Yankees would alter their pregame routine for the eclipse.
“Not yet, but certainly we’ll be advised if we need to alter things. But nothing as of now,” Boone said.