Terry Collins understands where Nationals management is coming from in their polarizing decision to limit Stephen Strasburg's innings this season.

"I certainly understand the decision. It's hard for both Stephen and the club to shut him down," said Collins. "But if he's still around, if he doesn't have any more surgeries for the next four or five years, they'll look back and think it's a great decision."

So far, Strasburg has thrown 139 1/3 innings.

Strasburg is 14-5, with a 2.91 ERA and 173 strikeouts. The Mets faced him twice this season, losing on both July 25 (5-2) and April 11 (4-0). New York batted just .136 against him in the pair of games.

"Our game is changing," Collins said. "As we know, the health of pitching is the key. With all of the fact-finding things that are out there now, they're realizing that workload is part of the issue. So even though these guys are bigger and stronger than they were 30 years ago, some of that strength may be one of those reasons why guys are breaking down, because they're so strong. Those major muscle groups are so much stronger than the smaller muscle groups now that there could be wear and tear."