Yet Another Nationals Reliever To Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

Another bad break for the Nationals' bullpen. Just a day after losing closer Tanner Rainey for the season, former closer Sean Doolittle will undergo surgery that will also keep him until next season. 

Sean Doolittle will have an internal brace procedure to repair his left UCL injury, time frame 5-6 months. His goal is to be ready for Spring Training.

— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) July 15, 2022

Per Jessica Camerato, Doolittle will have an "internal brace procedure" to repair his left UCL, and will be out 5-6 months. His goal is to be ready for Spring Training. 

The 35-year-old has been out since April 20 with an elbow sprain, and had been rehabbing since then. But he recently experienced more soreness during a bullpen session which led to the new medical assessment, and the need for surgery.

Doolittle is a two-time All-Star, who was the Nats' closer in their 2019 World Series season. He saved 29 games that year, but faced an injury-plagued 2020, and then spent the 2021 season in Cincinnati and Seattle.

He returned to the Nationals this season, but only got into 6 games (5.1 innings) in early April before the elbow sprain cropped up.

Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports