re: National's decision to shut down Strasburg

I think the Nats' decision-making here is questionable, but they did do the research and probably believe in it, so they stuck to their plan.

I just think they could have more properly handled the whole situation better with the media and probably Strasburg (plenty of comments on his frustrations about this thing showed up as the season went along). Internally having a HARD innings limit might be fine, but when you announce it to all, then you have everyone counting down to it and scrutinizing it.

And as far as this whole thing about giving him extra days off, moving to a 6man rotation, skipping starts, that kind of thing hurting his arm--i kinda think of the point others have made--
non arm injuries happen to pitchers all the time. If he would have stubbed his toe fielding a grounder, contracted a bad virus, or sprained his ankle, would they have shut him down for the season just because time on the DL would mess up his regular schedule and returning would completely ruin his arm? I doubt it, so why would any other gaps in his pitching do so.