Nationals Stand By Decision To Put Strasburg On Shelf

Despite the fact that they lost to the Cardinals in five games, the Nationals are standing by the decision to put Stephen Strasburg on the shelf before the season was over.

Washington led 6-0 early in the decisive NLDS Game 5, but St. Louis rallied to win 9-7 on Friday night.

"We proved our worth and we just need to let this be a lesson and ... learn from it, have more resolve, come back and carry it a lot farther," Davey Johnson said after the loss.

This was Strasburg's first full season following reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, and Washington wanted to protect him for the future.

"I stand by my decision, and we'll take the criticism as it comes," Mike Rizzo said, "but we have to do what's best for the Washington Nationals, and we think we did."