Nationals Notebook
Newly Activated Flores Available to Pinch-Hit
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Saturday, September 5, 2009
Jesús Flores hasn't appeared in a major league baseball game since May 9. His upper body still shows the effects of a summer-long rehab from a serious right shoulder injury. He still can't throw with enough strength to appear on the field -- at least without a bat in his hands. But despite those limitations, the Washington Nationals on Friday activated their 24-year-old catcher from the disabled list, hoping he can at least assist in a pinch-hitting role.
"He just gives us one more option to swing the bat," interim manager Jim Riggleman said.
That Flores has come even this far registers as a surprise. When Washington first detected his stress fracture in late May, team officials feared he would miss the entire season. But Flores, recently cleared to resume upper-body weight lifting, has gained enough strength to swing a bat -- though "he doesn't have the arm strength to throw in a ballgame," Riggleman said.
Stammen's Season Over
Craig Stammen won't pitch again this season. But for the Nationals, the rookie pitcher's status -- once the team on Friday determined the root cause of his elbow soreness -- qualified mostly as a relief. Stammen, 25, has a bone spur in the back of his right elbow. Sunday, team orthopedist Wiemi Douoguih will perform arthroscopic surgery.
Stammen will be out for six weeks and then begin a throwing program, General Manager Mike Rizzo said.
Previous pitching injuries this season -- especially that of prized rookie Jordan Zimmerman, who complained of elbow soreness and eventually needed reconstructive surgery -- had those in Washington's organization bracing for the worst. By comparison, though, Stammen's injury is nowhere near as serious.
"He'll be fully functional and ready to go by spring training," Rizzo said.
The Nationals also disclosed on Friday that Syracuse pitcher Collin Balester has a strain on his left side, an injury that typically requires two weeks of rest and two weeks of rehab. "He'll be finished for the season and we'll send him home," Rizzo said.
Garate Activated
The Nationals on Friday officially activated left-handed reliever Victor Garate, the 24-year-old they received from the Dodgers as the final part of the Ronnie Belliard trade. Garate, who was previously at Class AA, admitted the jump was significant. "Yes," he said. "But it's exciting."
