MILWAUKEE (AP) — Washington Nationals infielder Carter Kieboom will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery to address the elbow issue that landed him on the injured list in March.
Manager Dave Martinez said before the Nationals’ Friday night game at Milwaukee that Kieboom will have the surgery on May 27. Kieboom, who went on the injured list before the season, has been dealing with a strained flexor mass and sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow.
“He felt really good,” Martinez said. “And he started throwing and really trying to get going, and he said the pain came back. At this point, we thought it was best and he thought it was best that he does have the surgery to fix it.”
Martinez said he’s hoping Kieboom returns in time for spring training. Martinez noted that position players have shorter recovery periods than pitchers from the ligament-replacement surgery.
He played third base last season but also has experience at shortstop.
Martinez had more encouraging updates for other injured players.
He said Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross each threw 43 pitches and three innings in a simulated game Thursday in Florida.
“They came out of it feeling good,” Martinez said.
Both pitchers have side sessions Saturday and will next throw four innings and 60 pitches. Martinez said the Nationals could send both out for minor-league rehabilitation assignments as the right-handers prepare to make their 2022 debuts.
and has pitched a total of 26 2/3 innings since the start of the 2020 season. Ross hasn’t pitched in a major-league game since Aug. 10
“They worked really hard to get back, both of them did,” Martinez said. “I’m very proud of what they’ve done. It’s tough. It’s tough when you have those injuries and you’re in Florida, but the end is coming. Hopefully both of them will be here sometime in the near future.”
Martinez added that right-hander Will Harris (pectoral) also is throwing in Florida and right-hander Hunter Harvey (right pronator strain) is throwing bullpen sessions of up to 20 pitches. Left-hander Sean Doolittle (left elbow strain) is still building strength and isn’t throwing yet.
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