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Baseball notebook: Still no deal for Strasburg

Nationals must sign Stephen Strasburg by Monday night. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Nationals must sign Stephen Strasburg by Monday night. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Washington Nationals president Stan Kasten acknowledged Saturday there is a “very real possibility” the team will not reach an agreement with No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg despite offering him a record-breaking contract.

The Nationals face a deadline of midnight on Monday night to sign Strasburg, a right-hander from San Diego State whose fastball has been clocked at 102 mph.

“With 48 hours to go, I simply have no idea whether we’re going to be able to reach a deal,” Kasten said.

Kasten said the Nationals offered Strasburg a major league contract worth more than the record $10.5 million pitcher Mark Prior got from the Chicago Cubs in 2001.

Washington’s offer came more than a week ago during a face-to-face meeting in California that included Strasburg, agent Scott Boras, Kasten, Nationals acting general manager Mike Rizzo and team owners Ted and Mark Lerner.

Wright hit in the head, visits hospital

David Wright of the New York Mets suffered a concussion after being hit squarely in the helmet by a 94 mph fastball from Giants starter Matt Cain.

Wright was examined in the clubhouse before being taken by ambulance to the Hospital for Special Surgery. Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Wright had a CT scan, which was negative. Wright was expected to spend the night at the hospital.

Clearing the bases

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was taken to the hospital with a concussion after being hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of Arizona’s Rusty Ryal. … The Texas Rangers placed catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia on the 15-day disabled list with recurring numbness in his right hand. … Carlos Beltran declared himself ready to take the next step in his recovery from a right knee injury after the Mets center fielder completed outfield drills for a second straight day. … University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker has his fallback should football not work out: a deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Washington spokesman Jeff Bechthold confirmed that Locker has agreed to a deal with the Angels, who drafted him in the 10th round in June.