Washington Nationals News: Stephen Strasburg had benign growth removed from back

Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.

In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Andrew Simon discusses Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg. As Simon writes in his article below, agent Scott Boras revealed today that Strasburg had a non-cancerous growth removed from his back a month ago.

The growth, which Boras described as “muscular”, bothered Strasburg throughout the season. According to Boras, the procedure was successful and the issue has been resolved.

While it’s not clear what effect the growth might have had on Strasburg’s pitching in 2015, there’s no doubt that the right-hander had one of the most inconsistent seasons of his career and was hampered by several minor injuries all year long. While Strasburg finished the season on a hot streak and was pitching as well as anybody by the end of the year, the former No. 1 draft pick looked nothing like himself early in the season.

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If the growth contributed to Strasburg’s struggles in 2015 and if the problem is resolved, the right-hander could be primed for a stellar season in 2016. Strasburg is entering his final year before free agency, so it’s important for him that the issues that plagued him early in 2015 don’t return next season. And with Jordan Zimmermann likely leaving the Nationals as a free agent this winter, Strasburg will arguably be more important than he’s ever been for the Nationals in 2016.

Also in today’s Daily, Simon discusses some interesting comments made by shortstop Ian Desmond. As Simon notes, Desmond has made it known that he wants to play for a World Series contender next season. The shortstop has until Friday to accept the Nationals’ 1-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer.

Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.

Strasburg had benign growth removed from back

(Andrew Simon, MLB.com)

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg is doing well after undergoing successful surgery to remove a non-cancerous growth from his back about a month ago, agent Scott Boras told reporters on Wednesday at the annual General Managers Meetings in Boca Raton, Fla. The Nationals had not previously disclosed the procedure.

“He had just a little bit of a growth in his back, and they had it repaired,” Boras said.

The agent described the growth as “muscular” and said it lacked “cancerous intentions.” Still, it created irritation that Strasburg had to deal with during the season. Read full article here.

Desmond wants to play for World Series contender

(Andrew Simon, MLB.com)

WASHINGTON — Although the Nationals made him a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer last Friday, it’s likely that Ian Desmond will leave the only organization he has known to test the free-agent market. He has until 5 p.m. ET this Friday to accept or decline the offer.

Next: Washington Nationals Free Agent Profile: Matt Wieters

If Desmond turns it down, as expected, he would become perhaps the top shortstop available. On Wednesday, the 30-year-old joined MLB Network Radio and discussed what he will be looking for in his next team. Read full article here.