NATIONALS NOTEBOOK
Bone Spurs Taken From Hill's Elbow
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Saturday, September 6, 2008; Page E07
ATLANTA, Sept. 5 -- Shawn Hill might never pitch again the way he wants to, pain free. He might never rejoin the Washington Nationals' starting rotation. He might never discover -- let alone overcome -- the root of the arm pain that's interfered with his career.
But at least Friday's elbow surgery gives him a chance.
In a procedure those in Washington's organization believe a best-case scenario, orthopedist James Andrews removed some small bone spurs from Hill's right elbow. The scope was promising for two reasons: Andrews didn't find widespread ossification, which would have potentially necessitated ligament reconstruction. Just as important, he found somethin g.
Though these bone spurs aren't the smoking gun -- the reason behind the discomfort that limited the right-hander to just 12 starts this season -- the surgery was minor enough that Hill will begin a motion- and strength-related rehab program next week. The team expects him to be ready for spring training. Whether he can pitch his way back into the rotation is another matter. Hill's injury history makes it unreasonable for the Nationals to count on anything, but his potential merits that the team gives him a look.
"I don't think any of us will probably know [his shape] until the end of spring training," General Manager Jim Bowden said, "But you know, we pray for him, we root for him."
Belliard Return Is Possible
One night after ruling Ronnie Belliard out for the rest of the season, the Nationals pulled back from that assessment, suggesting they'd give their first baseman a chance to return. In Thursday night's game, Belliard strained his right groin while running to first base.
An MRI exam Friday confirmed Belliard's injury.
"It's not an easy injury to deal with, obviously," Manager Manny Acta said. "We won't put a timetable on it. But most likely, give him two weeks, and if he doesn't make any progress, he'll be done."
With Belliard out, Washington will turn to Kory Casto, Aaron Boone and Dmitri Young to play first.
