Local media got the chance to speak with Stephen Strasburg this afternoon for the first time since he underwent Tommy John surgery on Sept. 3. The 22-year-old rookie seemed in good spirits all things considered. But he’s looking forward to beginning the rehab process in earnest – and for now killing time while taking classes at San Diego State, where he is just a few credits shy of a degree. Strasburg had his cast removed about two weeks ago. Here’s the transcript:
What have you been up to since the surgery…
“Not much. I got my cast off about two weeks ago and I’ve just been getting my range of motion back. Going really well, feels really good. I should be starting the actual rehab process shortly.”
Have you been watching the Nats lately…
“Yeah, I’ve been watching the team very closely. Everybody seems to be playing hard. At the same time it is pretty hard to watch because I wish I was out there with everybody. But it is what it is.”
Was there another period after the surgery of anger, confusion or had you accepted what happened and moved on to the next challenge…
“No, I think the hardest part was that period of being back [in San Diego] and waiting for the surgery to happen. Once it was over with it was definitely a sense of relief and I knew that everything was fixed and every single day it was getting closer to getting back out there.”
Are you done with the holding pattern after the first few weeks of surgery and are you about to move on into a more physical phase of the rehab…
“Yeah, but what they’re telling me is that the more boring it is the better. The first few months it’s just all about letting the ligament heal and naturally recover. But at the same time, I’m eating healthy, trying to do some sort of workout every day, whether it’s core, or just going on the elliptical. I’m doing everything in my power to get stronger while this thing heals.”
Did you speak to anyone about the rehab process since the surgery…
“I talked to a few guys, a few guys have reached out and given great support. With the track record of the surgery you’ve just got to be patient with it. You’ve just got to let it take its course. As long as you don’t rush things the success rate is through the roof. I’m going to be patient with it. I’m going to do what the Nationals trainers and doctors tell me to do. I’m going to follow it by the book and hopefully everything works out for the best.”
Who are some of those guys you spoke with…
“When I first found out the news I was able to talk to Chris Carpenter, [Albert] Pujols when the Cardinals were in town. A few of my buddies back here have had the surgery; a few of my coaches have had the surgery during their playing career. And then talking to [Nats teammate] Jordan Zimmermann a little bit, too. It’s a very common surgery and like I said the success rate is really good. I’m just going to follow everybody else’s path.”
Are you working more with Dr. Lewis Yocum’s people or specialists in San Diego…
“No, I’m just working with the people that the Nationals have set up for me. Talking to Nationals trainers and everything and just going from there.”
Has anything surprised you about the surgery…
“No, not really. The fact that so many people have had the surgery it’s almost down to a science. They told me everything that I’m going to experience coming up right out of surgery to when I get my cast off, the whole nine yards. I haven’t been surprised by anything. It’s healing very nicely. Everybody said that Yocum did such a nice job because the scar is so thin. So I’m pretty excited about it and I’m just going to do whatever they tell me to do.”
Did the surgery ending your season early tarnish the good you had done beforehand…
“You guys can decide that. But I’m chalking it up as a great season. It’s unfortunate for this to happen. But I stirred up the baseball world well enough that had more people becoming Nats fans. And I know they’re going to be there when I come back in a year. So I’m not too worried about it. I’m going to work as hard as I possibly can to get back out there and show everybody what I bring to the table.”
What has been the hardest part of having the season end a few weeks early and being away from Nationals Park…
“I miss my teammates, obviously. Playing in the big leagues was a great experience. But at the same time back at home letting your body recover and catching up on your studies it’s a little bit slower pace. So I’m having some baseball withdrawals that’s for sure. But I got a great support system and they’ve really helped me through it.”
Thoughts on the Phillies clinching the title at Nationals Park in front of their own fans…
“It didn’t look too good, that’s for sure. It stung the way it happened. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get the win last night. Halladay pitched really well. But we could very well be doing that in the next few years on their home turf. So it’d be nice to have some pay back.”
So are you taking classes at SDSU
“Yeah, definitely working at getting closer to my degree. It’s not too far away but definitely want to get it. Just getting back in that whole student life as well as rehab.”
Is it odd to you that you go from this ultimate team sport to this kind of solo process of rehab where you’re on your own and away from teammates, coaches etc.
“I get what you’re saying. It is a tough process. But I keep telling myself that as each day goes by I’m going to get closer to being out there with them and out there battling, trying to win some games. Patience is a virtue. Trying to be as patient as possible through this process.”
How detailed is this rehab process…
“They have it all mapped out all the way to when they throw your first professional pitch again. It’s kind of going on what they tell me. If I’m doing well everything could get sped up. I might have to take a couple steps back. You never know. There is a target date, but right now it’s way too early. We’re going to hopefully start the rehab process soon and see where that goes.”
Do you literally have that date marked on the calendar…
“Definitely not. That’s a year from now. A lot of things can happen.”
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