Handle with care

                                                                         (Associated Press photo)

Twelve years ago today, the playoff-bound Washington Nationals announce they are shutting down prized pitcher Stephen Strasburg for the remainder of the 2012 season as he nears 160 innings.

Strasburg, then just 24 years old and barely a year removed from completing his injury rehab for Tommy John surgery, finishes the season at 15-6 with 197 strikeouts in 159 1/3 innings.

The Nationals' prudence with a seemingly healthy Strasburg may have cost them in the postseason as the Nationals fall to St. Louis in the first round of the National League playoffs.

Strasburg and the Nationals return to the playoffs – only to fall – in 2014, 2016 and ’17 before finally winning the 2019 World Series.

There, in 2019, Strasburg wins both of his starts against Houston and is named the World Series MVP, leading to a new contract worth $245 million over seven years.

Injuries, since then, however, limit Strasburg to a total of 31 1/3 innings over eight starts before he announces in late August 2023 his plans to retire.