Former Nationals Top Prospect To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

The Washington Nationals will be without a former top prospect for the entire 2022 season, as infielder Carter Kieboom is undergoing Tommy John surgery. 

Unfortunate injury update: Carter Kieboom will have Tommy John surgery Friday. Rehab doesn’t take as long as for pitchers, so should be ready for spring training.

— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) May 20, 2022

It's a brutal twist of bad luck for the 24-year-old, who was supposed to get his first full year in the big leagues this season to establish himself. 

Kieboom was the Nationals' No. 1 prospect in 2020, and No. 15 in all of baseball. He was expected to take over at third base after Anthony Rendon left in free agency. In three seasons of tryouts in the bigs however, he was never able to get into a rhythm, collecting an overall major league average of .197 with a .589 OPS.

An elbow injury landed him on the IL back in March, as he dealt with a strained flexor mass and sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow.

It's worth noting that position players have shorter recovery periods than pitchers from the ligament-replacement surgery. National manager Dave Martinez is hoping Kieboom will be ready to go by spring training 2023. 

Photo Credit:  Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports