Rizzo's only choice

by Phil Wood

Wouldn't you have done the same thing?

Scratching Stephen Strasburg from tonight's start against Atlanta was the only intelligent thing to do. Given his importance to the franchise, if he's having trouble "getting loose," why not err on the side of caution?

GM Mike Rizzo is paid to make decisions like this, and he did so knowing what might be at stake. Better to lose a single start than a year-plus to a surgical procedure by letting him take the mound with any discomfort.

All those fans who feel cheated by not getting to see Strasburg pitch need only check their tickets: Strasburg's name is nowhere to be found. It's no different than a Broadway show where sometimes you sit in your seat and hear the announcer say "Tonight Michael Crawford's role will be played by Klinton Spilsbury."

Of course there will be fans who will try to create some kind of conspiracy; that's the only reason many of them pay for internet service, after all. To those folks I say, take a walk. Do something constructive.