Strasburg scratched from his 1st start

World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg was scratched from what was supposed to be his first start of the season for the Nationals on Saturday night because of a nerve issue with his right hand.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced about four hours before the scheduled first pitch of a 9-2 victory over the visiting Yankees that Strasburg would be replaced as his team’s starter by Erick Fedde, who allowed two runs in four innings in a spot start.

Martinez said Strasburg, a righty who was bothered by the wrist and thumb of that hand, was given an injection for the issue, likening it to “basically a cortisone shot.”

“Hopefully this is a day-to-day thing,” Martinez said. “We want to be cautious.”

Nationals C Tres Barrera was suspended 80 games without pay by MLB after testing positive for an anabolic steroid.