Washington Nationals third baseman Carter Kieboom suffered a setback with his Tommy John recovery, manager Dave Martinez announced Sunday. Kieboom will be held back for a couple of days after experiencing tightness in his right shoulder, not his elbow.
“He’s got some tightness in his right shoulder,” Martinez said, per Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports. “I think because of the Tommy John, this is part of it.”
Kieboom is not affected when batting. However, his shoulder feels sore after throwing.
Kieboom underwent Tommy John surgery for a UCL tear in May 2022 after being shut down last spring. He sat out the 2022 season. Last week, Kieboom played in a Nationals’ spring training game. it was his first game in 17 months.
The embattled 25-year old has struggled to make his mark in the big leagues. The Nationals selected him in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft. He has batted .197/.304/.285 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs in 414 career plate appearances. He has a 26.8% strikeout rate against an 11.1% walk rate.
Carter Kieboom has once been pegged as the future Nats’ third baseman. However, his struggles and injuries make his long-term fit questionable. Last month, the Nats announced 2021 first-round draft pick Brady House switched from shortstop to third baseman ahead of the upcoming minor league season.
The 19-year-old House will take some time to come up to the majors. But it’s clear there is a new man pegged for the Nats’ hot corner and not Kieboom.
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