Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg has announced his retirement from professional baseball after a prolonged battle with injuries. The news of his retirement was first reported by The Washington Post and MASN's Mark Zuckerman and confirmed by MLB's transaction log.

In a statement released on Sunday morning, Strasburg expressed his gratitude to his coaches, teammates, and medical staff for their support throughout his career. He acknowledged the significance of winning the World Series in 2019 and the impact it had on the fans in the DMV area. Strasburg also thanked the late Ted Lerner and his family for the opportunity to wear the Nationals uniform.

The announcement of Strasburg's retirement holds significance, given the false start last year when plans for a news conference were abruptly canceled. At that time, there were negotiations about the settlement of the remainder of his seven-year, $245 million contract, which posed challenges due to the lack of insurance coverage.

After being crowned the World Series MVP in 2019, Strasburg's career took a downturn with recurring injuries. A nerve issue forced him to exit his second start in 2020, followed by shoulder inflammation and a neck strain, which landed him on the injured list multiple times amidst limited appearances. The diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome in July 2021 further thwarted his chances of a comeback as the condition rarely allows pitchers to regain their previous form.

Despite signing a lucrative contract ahead of the 2019 season, Strasburg managed to make only eight more starts, with an ERA of 6.89. Nonetheless, his impact on the Nationals' history remains significant. Drafted first overall in 2009, he was hailed as the franchise's savior and lived up to the hype with an impressive MLB debut featuring 14 strikeouts.

Controversy surrounded Strasburg throughout his career, mainly due to concerns about his long-term health and pitching mechanics. The Nationals faced criticism for shutting him down in 2012, despite their playoff aspirations. However, Strasburg's innings limits in subsequent seasons aimed to preserve his health and resulted in consistent performances, including two seasons surpassing 200 innings.

Without a doubt, Strasburg played a vital role in the Nationals' memorable 2019 World Series championship run, posting a remarkable 1.98 ERA in the postseason. His dominant performances against the Houston Astros cemented his status as a reliable and indispensable pitcher.

Stephen Strasburg's retirement serves as a reminder of the risks associated with investing enormous sums in pitchers, particularly those who rely heavily on their arm strength. While unable to fulfill the high expectations set early in his career, Strasburg's contributions to the Nationals' franchise and his impact on the game will always be remembered.