The Washington Nationals were supposed to hold a news conference for 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg on Saturday to make his retirement official.
It was only a few weeks ago that Strasburg had decided to step away from baseball due to a severe nerve issue that has prevented him from pitching this season.
But now that retirement news conference is now being canceled as the team and Strasburg are now stuck in a contract dispute, according to a report from The Athletic on Thursday.
Strasburg signed a massive seven-year, $245 million contract with the Nationals following the team’s World Series win (where he was named Series MVP), but injuries limited him to just eight starts in the four seasons since.
When it became apparent that his career was in jeopardy, the Nationals approached Strasburg this season about retiring and, according to The Athletic, offered to pay him the full amount of his remaining contract.
They have apparently decided to change those terms.
