Subjects left-handed Jon Lester Dave Martinez, manager Dave Martinez, underwent surgery Friday to have his thyroid removed. (link via Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post). Assuming all goes well, the operation is expected to be out of action for only about a week, the manager added.
The 37-year-old Lester faced fatigue early in the camp. After consultations with medical experts and a number of tests, he chose to undergo surgery this week in the hope that it will prevent further symptoms during the 2021 season. He’s traveling to New York today.
Lester signed a $ 5 million a year deal with the Nationals during the winter, which set the stage for him to move behind the rotation. Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. The contract reunites him with Martinez, who was his banking coach in Chicago from 2015-17, and with his fellow free agent Kyle Schwarber.
In 2006, during his rookie with the Red Sox, Lester was diagnosed with lymphoma and was away for almost a year while undergoing chemotherapy. Since going into remission and returning to the hill, he’s been one of the game’s most enduring entrees. The five-time All-Star has made at least 31 appearances per season over a twelve-year period from 2008-19, averaging 199 innings per season. Along the way, he also kicked in 144 2/3 overs of 2.55 ERA ball in the post-season and took home NLCS MVP honors in 2016. During last year’s shortened season, he started a dozen games.
Although Lester was not at his peak, his status as one of the most reliable sources of the match makes him very attractive to a Nationals club that needs a steady presence behind an established top try. Lester struggled last summer to an ERA of 5.16, but he also has his lowest running percentage and highest baseball speed since 2015. A clearer schedule for leftists will be known after the procedure, but the early projection that he would be able to get back to work come. after just one week, of course, it holds up well for both Lester and the Nats.