Nationals' Stammen to undergo surgery to repair torn flexor muscle
The injury bug surrounding the Washington Nationals has hit the pitching staff.
Right-handed reliever Craig Stammen was diagnosed with a torn flexor muscle in his forearm and the team announced Thursday that he will be forced to undergo surgery.
While they have yet to release a timetable for his return, it's likely that Stammen will miss most, if not all, of the season.
"It's never good news, but knowing him he will rehab as quick as he can and as hard as he can. He'll be back at some point, we just don't know the timeframe yet," manager Matt Williams told Chase Hughes of CSN.
The Nationals placed Stammen on the disabled list earlier in the day, recalling right-hander Taylor Jordan from Triple-A.
Stammen's season had been off to a solid start after allowing two hits while striking out three in four innings of relief.
The 31-year-old made 49 appearances for the Nationals last season posting a 3.84 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 72 2/3 innings.