Stephen Strasburg’s start yesterday, in which he gave up four runs on seven hits in just four innings, was the second-shortest of his career. Hey, we all have off days, but when you’re Stephen Strasburg, people want to know why.

In yesterday’s case, Strasburg was suffering from the ill effects of getting Hot Stuff in what Nationals Manager Davey Johnson called the “wrong place,” the Post reported. Sounds painful, and embarrassing.

Here’s the thing: “Hot Stuff” in this case refers to an analgesic ointment sold by Mueller Sports Medicine. The petroleum-based treatment promises “deep penetrating heat” and is used by many professional athletes to help them loosen up before a game. Sort of like an industrial-strength Icy Hot. And if you’ve ever used that, you know it’s best to wash your hands after applying it.

But Hot Stuff is also “not recommended for sensitive skin,” but from the implications of Johnson’s post-game comments, it sounds like that’s exactly where the Hot Stuff ended up on Strasburg’s body, reports the Post:

Players found it plausible that the ointment had found the wrong place by accident. Some pitchers will use the Hot Stuff to prepare for a start and get their blood flowing. It is possible the rain and wet conditions caused the ointment to move to the wrong part of Strasburg’s body.

Strasburg, upon hearing Johnson’s possible explanation for his lackluster performance in the Nationals 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres, was “miffed” that the world learned about his ungainly ointment use. “Yeah, you know, I’m going to keep that in the clubhouse,” he told the Post.

Too late. And now comes the inevitable guessing game of just how far the Hot Stuff dripped its way down Strasburg’s frame.