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Stephen Strasburg’s Season Ends Even More Prematurely as Nationals Pitcher Is Shut Down Early

Nationals management has said all year that Stephen Strasburg wouldn't be pitching a full MLB season.

But few expected him to be shut down so quickly.

Washington manager Davey Johnson told Strasburg on Saturday morning that he wouldn't be pitching any more, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports.

Davey Johnson informed Stephen Strasburg this morning his season is over.

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) September 8, 2012

Davey Johnson made the decision on Strasburg. He believed the media distraction had become too much and affected Strasburg's performance.

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) September 8, 2012

Davey said he sensed "from the first pitch" yesterday that Strasburg was overwhelmed. "Now he can get past this."

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) September 8, 2012

Strasburg was already due to wrap up his season Sept. 12, but his Friday night performance was full of hiccups. He went just three innings, giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out just two batters, a season-low. The poor performance prompted Johnson's decision to end Strasburg's year early due to concerns about his mental focus.

Having Strasburg end on such a disappointing note after the pitcher repeatedly said he wanted to finish out the year and pitch in the playoffs is particularly curious, even if Johnson says he is doing Strasburg a favor. The 24-year-old righty now won't get a chance to rebound from the bad outing — and the disappointment of watching his team from the sidelines — until next year.

Strasburg is 15-6 this year with a 3.16 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 159 1/3 innings pitched.