WASHINGTON (AP) - The Washington Nationals say star rookie Stephen Strasburg has a “significant tear” in his elbow ligament and probably will have Tommy John surgery.
General manager Mike Rizzo said Friday that an enhanced MRI taken a day earlier revealed the extent of the injury to the right elbow.
The 22-year-old right-hander will travel to the West Coast for a second opinion. But Rizzo says he anticipates Strasburg will require surgery, ruling him out for 12 to 18 months.
The news brings an abrupt halt to Strasburg’s promising first season. He struck out 14 batters in his major league debut in June. Strasburg is 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 68 innings..
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Washington Nationals have scheduled a conference call for Friday morning to announce the results of Stephen Strasburg’s latest medical test.
The star rookie pitcher has had two MRIs since he was removed from Saturday’s game at Philadelphia. The initial diagnosis was a strained tendon in his right forearm. But the first MRI raised enough questions for the team to order a more enhanced MRI that was performed Thursday.
Strasburg was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday, the second time he’s been on the DL in less than a month.
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