Nats Strasburg, Ramos among injured sidelined for NLDS, ALDS
WASHINGTON — Back in 2012, the Washington Nationals drew all sorts of attention — and criticism — for deciding to shut down Stephen Strasburg ahead of the playoffs to protect his surgically repaired right elbow.
This time around, the NL East champions didn’t have a choice in the matter: Strasburg went on the disabled list in mid-August with a sore elbow, then returned for one start early last month that he left early and hasn’t been back. He’s been ruled out for the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers that opens Friday in Washington.
Most major league teams deal with injuries of some significance at some point from spring training to September, and several clubs still in the hunt for the 2016 World Series championship are no different.
Covering those holes in the playoffs can be a big deal — or can create opportunities for a relatively unknown player to move into the limelight and succeed.