For the first time in his profe sional career, Nationals All-Star pitcherStephen Byron Cowart Jerseys Strasburgincorporated a slider into hispitching repertoire in 2016. Hefell in love with the pitch because it produced quick outs.

But the former No. 1 overall pick also noticed additional sorene s after starts and believes the pitch is partially to blame for a pronator tendon tear in his pitching elbow. The injury caused him to mi s most of September and the postseason.

FAGAN:

I think Rhamondre Stevenson Jerseys it became easy for me to try to get lazy with it and maybe fatigue a little bit quicker because its just a stre s on your arm that you really have to build up over time, but you have to do it the right way, Strasburg Sunday (via The Washington Post).

Its not like any guy can all of a sudden throw a split fingered fastball and have that be his secondary pitch and have it take place of the two other pitches that are working for you," he said.

Strasburg started the season a perfect 13-0,but fell apartafter July 15,going 2-4 with a7. Nelson Agholor Jerseys 36 ERAuntil he left the moundSept. 7 fearing he needed a second Tommy John surgery.

Youre always trying to improve your game and its tough because I had succe s with it, Strasburg said. I didnt really think that anything was going on. I just know that based on my symptomsthat pitch became the one pitch Russ Francis Jerseys that didnt really feel good throwing it.

"With that said, just looking back on the numbers, a lot of it was overuse. My arm just wasnt accustomed to throwing that pitch that many times.

Strasburg, who decided against surgery, is expected to have a normal throwing schedule this offseason and plans to use his slider le s in 2017.