Nats' Carter Kieboom to have Tommy John surgery

Washington Nationals infielder Carter Kieboom Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

Nationals infielder Carter Kieboom to have Tommy John surgery

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/20/22

On Friday, Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced that infielder Carter Kieboom needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2022 season.

The recovery time for Tommy John surgery isn't as long for position players as opposed to pitchers, so the Nationals are optimistic about Kieboom's availability come next spring.

Carter Kieboom will undergo Tommy John surgery next Friday, manager Dave Martinez said. The goal is for Kieboom to be ready for Spring Training 2023. #Nationals
— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) May 20, 2022

Slated to compete with Maikel Franco for the starting third baseman job in Washington, Kieboom's season never had a chance to get off the ground. Experiencing elbow soreness at the start of spring training, Kieboom was diagnosed with a sprained UCL and flexor mass strain in his right forearm and placed on the 60-day injured list. Kieboom began a light throwing program in May but ultimately decided to have surgery, ending his season.

Kieboom played 62 games for Washington last season, batting .207 with a .301 on-base percentage and .318 slugging percentage. He finished with six home runs, 20 RBI and 25 walks in 249 plate appearances.

A former first-round draft selection of the Nationals in 2016, Kieboom made his MLB debut in 2019.

In 106 games over three seasons, Kieboom has posted a .197 batting average, .304 on-base percentage, and .285 slugging percentage. He has 70 hits, eight home runs and 31 RBI.

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