The clock is ticking for Strasburg's season

By Steve Ginsburg

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Stephen Strasburg's season will end after 160 innings even if the success-starved Washington Nationals are involved in a playoff push, manager Davey Johnson insisted Wednesday.

The All-Star right-hander is 10-4 this season with a 2.66 earned run average and a league-leading 135 strikeouts but the flame-thrower has already pitched 105 innings for the National League East division leaders.

"That decision (to limit his innings) was made by people a lot smarter than me," Johnson said on Wednesday before the Nationals faced the New York Mets. "I'm not fighting it. When that time comes, he's done."

Strasburg had elbow surgery late in the 2010 season and the Nationals said they set the 160-inning limit in spring training to ensure their ace is around for the long haul.

At this rate, Strasburg's season will be put on ice in early September.

Last week, Strasburg said, "They're going to have to rip the ball out of my hands" during a pennant race but he now bristles at questions on the issue.

"I've been asked so many times, I have the same response," the 23-year-old Strasburg said on Wednesday without taking his eyes off the clubhouse television. "I don't know."

"It's something that you're going to have to talk to the general manager (Mike Rizzo) or Davey about. They might have a little more information for you."