Scott Boras, the agent for Stephen Strasburg, refuted the notion that he assisted the Nationals or helped dictate the right-hander's impending innings shutdown.

Boras shared information with general manager Mike Rizzo and agrees with the decision, but he insisted that the franchise made the ultimate decision.

"I don't make the decisions," Boras said. "I don't even know when they're shutting down Strasburg, and I don't need to. They're following expert medical opinion, and that's all I care about."

Boras shares a close relationship with both Rizzo and Nationals owner Ted Lerner. Since the Nationals drafted Strasburg with the first pick in 2009, players represented by Boras have played for Washington.