Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg will NOT hold ‘farewell’ press conference, owner Mark Lerner confirms amid contract standoff with retiree
- The 35-year-old Strasburg has not pitched for Washington since June 2022 due to injuries
- The 2019 World Series winner has just under four seasons remaining
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner said in a statement Friday that team discussions with former World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg about his future have been “mischaracterized” and that there are no plans yet for a news conference on his retirement.
The statement’s language casts doubt on whether the 35-year-old pitcher had formally decided to retire, which was reported by several media outlets in late August.
A pension press conference was planned for Saturday. However, The Athletic reported on Thursday that the National had offered to pay the full remainder of Strasburg’s contract if he retired, and then wanted to ‘change’ the terms of the deal he agreed to.
“Stephen Strasburg is and always will be an important part of the Washington Nationals franchise,” Lerner said. “We support him in every decision he makes and will ensure he gets what he deserves.
‘It is unfortunate that private discussions have been made public through anonymous sources who tried to negotiate through the media. While we were following the process required by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, preparations for a press conference had begun internally behind the scenes. However, such an event has never been confirmed or publicly promoted by the team.”
Nats owner Mark Lerner refuses to hold a press conference on Stephen Strasburg’s retirement
Lerner said Strasbourg’s pension plans have been ‘mischaracterized’ in a public statement
After leading the Nationals to the 2019 World Series championship, Strasburg signed a seven-year, $245 million contract the following season.
However, due to injuries, he made only eight starts and threw 31 1/3 innings while going 1-4 with a 6.89 ERA under the new contract.
Strasburg – a three-time All-Star and Baby Ruth Award winner (2019) – had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in 2021, suffered a stress reaction in his ribs last season and was shut down during spring training this year with what was characterized as a serious nerve damage.
Lerner celebrates Washington beating the Houston Astros in the 2022 World Series in 2019
Lerner greets Ryan Zimmerman & Stephen Strasburg (far right) at a press conference in 2018
He has not thrown a game since June 9, 2022.
Lerner’s statement also ended with another reference to Strasburg being under contract with the club: ‘We hope that the ongoing conversation remains private out of respect for the individuals involved.
“Until then, we look forward to seeing Stephen and will report back to Spring Training.”
Lerner’s statement also comes as Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo remains without a contract extension and in the wake of the resignation of longtime assistant GM Johnny DiPuglia.