Rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg to undergo Tommy John surgery
Washington Nationals' starlet Stephen Strasburg received some not-so-good news on Friday morning.
The Nationals held a conference call at 10:30 a.m. EST to announce the results of the arthrogram on the pitcher's right arm.
News that will certainly inject pain into the hearts of the Nationals' fans, Strasburg is expected to require ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, also known as Tommy John surgery.
After being removed from Saturday's game at Philadelphia, the rookie had two MRIs. It was initially thought that he had a strained tendon.
Strasburg will now meet with Dr. Lewis Yocum with the hopes for a safe recovery so the star's career does not disintegrate at the young age of 22.
Further tests will be done to confirm that the surgery is required. If surgery is required, Strasburg could be out for up to 18 months. The fans in Washington will hope for a full recovery for the face of the franchise.
Strasburg, who signed a rookie record $15.1 million contract with the Nats just before the deadline, was 5-3 with a 2.97 era this season for the last-place club.
Washington is 54-74 on the season and 19.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves.
The news come at a terrible time just as National fans were beginning to see promise in a club that has shown anything but that in its short time in the nation's capital.
Recently, the Nats reached an agreement with first overall pick Bryce Harper and already have all-star infielder Ryan Zimmerman, all solid building blocks for a club looking to make its way to the top.
A former star at San Diego State University, the San Diego native almost broke the hearts of the fans of Washington after his difficult contract negotiations almost fell apart. The deal was completed by his agent, Scott Boras, 77 seconds before the deadline.
Now after making the fans worry that he would never put on a Nats uniform because of money demands, the same Strasburg who lit up the MLB this season may never be the same if he makes a full recovery.
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