It's April 3, 2017, in Washington, D.C., and for the first time in three years, Stephen Strasburg is the Nationals' Opening Day starter. But that's not all that's different. As Strasburg toes the rubber in the top of the first and prepares to face Miami Marlins leadoff man Dee Gordon, he does so from the stretch. Gone is the windup he has been using his entire career -- the windup he and the overwhelming majority of big league starters use whenever the bases are empty. He retires the Marlins 1-2-3, throwing 13 of 17 pitches for strikes. He throws 17 of 17 pitches from the stretch. Make no mistake, Strasburg is prepared to do whatever it takes to stay healthy. Even if it means nonstop stretching. For the first time in his career, Strasburg is pitching exclusively from the stretch. It's a decision he made this past winter after yet another frustrating season in which his tantalizingly talented but perpetually pained body failed to make it all the way from April to October without incident. Read more http://www.espn.com/blog/washington...-strasburg-has-a-plan-to-finally-stay-healthy