Nationals fear the worse for Stephen Strasburg

ESPN.com is reporting that the Nationals have placed pitcher Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list with a strained flexor tendon, an injury some in the organization believe is way more serious. Strasburg would have likely pitched in the Arizona Fall League this year, but the Nationals will likely shut him down indefinitely until offseason workouts begin.

The Nationals aren't sure when he will pitch again. He will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging arthrogram, where dye is injected into the arm to show contrast, on Thursday.

If the procedure shows a tear, Strasburg will likely miss the entire 2011 season. However, if it is just a strain, he should be more than ready to pitch by the start of 2011. 

The Nationals are not in contention by any means this season, so to shut him down should be a non-issue. The priority should be for him to help significantly in the future.