In the Washington Nationals pursuit for their first winning season, there has been one constant that has plagued the team throughout their six years as a franchise. That constant has been major injuries. From Nick Johnson’s fragile body to Ryan Zimmerman’s DL stints, the team has seen its fair share of season altering injuries. Most recently though in the last three years, it has been the Nationals’ top starting pitchers that have felt the pain with very similar UCL tears that led to Tommy John surgery.
It all began in 2009, with the Nationals’ No. 2 pitcher, Jordan Zimmermann. Two months into his impressive rookie debut in the majors, Zimmermann was placed on the disabled list with elbow pain that affected his throwing arm. By his first rehab start in the minors, nothing had changed and he was diagnosed with a torn UCL that required Tommy John surgery.
One year later, the No. 1 prospect in all baseball, Stephen Strasburg, made his highly anticipated debut in Washington. Alm...
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