Washington Nationals' Catcher Jesus Flores Headed to Dr. Andrews, Likely DL

by Dave at Nats News Network on Mar 10, 2010 12:52 PM EST Comment 21 comments

Catcher Jesus Flores, rehabbing from off-season shoulder and elbow surgery, will visit noted shoulder expert Dr. James Andrews for 10 days or so to evaluate and receive treatment on his shoulder, which has not recovered according to the timetable team doctors laid out at the beginning of spring training.

Flores originally was diagnosed with a fracture in his shoulder, returned to play, then found out he had a torn labrum, which required extensive surgery.

He's returned to spring training, trying to build up the strength in the arm, but has not progressed past playing catch. He has not been able to throw back to the pitchers while catching bullpen sessions. And he has not taken batting practice.

All that leads up to another trip to Dr. Andrews.

According to reports, Flores will be evaluated and receive treatment, but no word at this point if another surgery will be required. General Manager Mike Rizzo told reporters that he didn't think surgery would be required, but that Flores would receive individualized physical therapy and treatment from Dr. Andrews' staff.

None of this is good news for the 25-year old developing catcher, who was once thought of as the long-term answer at the position for the Nationals.

Unfortunately, his status is very much up in the air with the latest setback, and it is vitually certain Flores will start the season on the disabled list.

From MASN.com's Ben Goessling's blog post earlier today, manager Jim Riggleman discussed the situation.

"I don't see how (Flores) couldn't (start on the DL)," Riggleman said. "Ten days from now, we couldn't get him enough games to be ready for the season, no matter if he got back at the earliest."

For now, the Nats will head into the season with Ivan Rodriguez (.280 OBP in 2009) and Wil Nieves as the catching options. The team re-signed Jamie Burke to catch at Triple-A Syracuse and should remain the emergency option should the Nats need another catcher for the time being.

It's a shame for Flores, and the team, that his shoulder has not responded adequately yet. The team signed Rodriguez to be a part-time player to Flores' starter, and now that is in serious jeopardy.

Rodriguez was exposed last season when forced into a full-time gig with Houston. While his batting average was not bottom of the barrel, his on base percentage was terrible. For all the accolades he's received this spring from Nats management, players and coaches, he's a shell of the player that will no doubt be enshrined in Cooperstown five years after his exit from the game.

He might "bring a lot to the table" as far as presence and respect, but he brings little to the plate anymore when he steps into the batter's box.

Flores' injury, and slow recovery, is a big blow to the Nationals this season, and perhaps into the future after re-evaluation from Dr. Andrews.

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Comments

Yikes

I agree about Pudge offensively, he’s a shell of a shell even. Defensively, I hope he has something left to offer, but with his age I’m afraid us fans are going to have to deal with a lot of Nieves. He’s softer hitting than ice cream. At least the rest of Washington’s lineup is adequate and fans like myself can rest easy at night knowing that. As long as these guys can call a good ballgame, the team will be fine.

Timely hitting may be important, but if Pudge can manage to hit .250 that’s a good number of timely hits. He’s got to have a bit of pop left, so 10 dingers isn’t exactly a stretch. Bottom line Pudge should have defense that makes up for his poor offense (still threw out 35% of base runners last season). He may be old, but he’s in pretty good shape and I think he still is a defensive commodity. I don’t really care what Pudge’s OBP will be because he’ll be batting 7 or 8 (I’m guessing). This is all I expect out of the teams’ catchers if Flores goes to the 60 Day-DL (I fear the worst):

Pudge Rodriguez: .250 BA, .290 OBP, 50 RBIs, 10 HRs, 107 G
Ice Cream Nieves: .255 BA, .305 OBP, 20 RBIs, 1 HR, 55 G

by Andrew Davidson on Mar 10, 2010 1:34 PM EST reply actions

Defense

I think Pudge will be OK defensively — he did pick off a runner at second on a strike-em-out-throw-em-out play today. Still, Flores’ injury has all the makings of one from which certain players never seem to recover.

by RobBobS on Mar 10, 2010 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

I think the Pudge signing was a very good move.

Flores is certainly looking like he might be in trouble in terms of returning this season…which is terrible for him. But Pudge might give this team some decent leadership behind the plate. I would caution about using just last years stats as an indicator for what Pudge might do this year. He certainly wont give us less production than Nieves/Bard did last year. But its clear that Norris is probably in the box seat for the position in 2 years time on the basis of Flores injury.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Mar 10, 2010 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

It sounds like Flores could be out awhile

That makes the Pudge signing more valuable. I agree with you, he’ll have to produce more than Nieves/Bard

Why not us? Why not now?

by Expos4 on Mar 11, 2010 12:14 AM EST up reply actions

i would caution about depending on that

he might hit a couple more home runs, but last year’s futility wasn’t an outlier, it was a continution of the degradation of what was once a hall of fame level. please look at his stats and tell me how — other than blind faith — anyone can suggest he’ll produce above replacement level with the bat?

Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com

by Dave at Nats News Network on Mar 11, 2010 8:22 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe his bat has slowed a little. He will bring more power of course. Nieves has 2 career home runs. Neither Nieves or Bard hit for power. They were bottom of the order guys. IROD could hit sixth and provide a little pop. Plus the defense will be a lot better. Just ask Felipe Lopez and his attempted steal/pickoff.

Why not us? Why not now?

by Expos4 on Mar 11, 2010 9:13 AM EST up reply actions

Catchers

What’s the future of catchers within the Nats organization? You have Pudge, keeping a spot warm ’till Flores (the presumed catcher-of-the-future) comes back healthy (soon, I hope). You have Norris, who has really impressed the scouts and probably will be in AAA this year. You have Harper, just waiting to picked up by the Nats in June.

Can an organization have too many quality catchers?

by RobBobS on Mar 10, 2010 2:16 PM EST reply actions

no

an org cannot have too many catchers, and Flores is exhibit A. catchers get hurt all the time. FWIW, i think Norris will probably spend most of the season in AA.

Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com

by Dave at Nats News Network on Mar 10, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

The way Harper can run I think it would be a waste to play him at catcher

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Mar 10, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions

What if Rodriguez goes down early?

Then Nieves and Burke are the options? Not sure I am liking that either. Here’s hoping for a speedy Flores recovery.

Why not us? Why not now?

by Expos4 on Mar 10, 2010 8:30 PM EST up reply actions

Jamie Burke and Nieves? Where'd Bard go? Bard???

“Speaking of catchers, can’t believe the Nationals will have to face Brian Schneider as a Philly.”

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Mar 10, 2010 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

No doubt that if Pudge goes down its a concern.

I guess we were hoping Flores would be back this season…and to be frank he still could be…despite the latest setback

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Mar 10, 2010 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

I doubt both Harper and Norris would remain at catcher

by Hotpockets on Mar 10, 2010 8:04 PM EST reply actions

Why move Norris?

I can understand moving Harper who has speed and is very young. Norris I dont get – he fields his position well and can hit.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Mar 10, 2010 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

Norris should stay as a catcher.

Why not us? Why not now?

by Expos4 on Mar 10, 2010 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

0-8............tell me something i didn't already expect....coach em up Riggle.....

Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.
Vince Lombardi

by TheMamba on Mar 10, 2010 10:07 PM EST reply actions

If the Nats start the regular season 0-8

I’ll be concerned.
It’s spring baby.

Why not us? Why not now?

by Expos4 on Mar 10, 2010 11:23 PM EST up reply actions

dude harsh

I am all for being honest with ourselves but those Pudge comments seemed a bit rough seeing as none of us are hall of famers and he is going to be the stability we need behind the plate for at least half the season. Maybe we can start out with a touch of optimism.

by NewJerseyAveSE on Mar 10, 2010 10:31 PM EST reply actions

I kinda agree that its a bit harsh on pudge

One season does not a career make. Rizzo seems keen to limit his games to 100 – which might be smart and could get more out of him in terms of production. Sadly, it means that the backup gets more time… but im expecting a better season from Pudge this year and better leadership of the pitching staff.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Mar 10, 2010 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

why are you expecting a better season from him?

what indicators are you looking at that would suggest anything other than further degradation? seriously, if you’ve got some good projections please share them. i could use some good news.

i’m not trying to be harsh, i’m trying to spread a little realism here. Rodriguez is below replacement level with the bat. anyone that expects elsewise is setting themselves up for disappointment.

Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com

by Dave at Nats News Network on Mar 11, 2010 8:27 AM EST up reply actions

Take ur point

I guess – based on Rizzo’s comments that he is intending to limit Pudge to 100 games – that Im looking more at his 2008 stats (he played 115) vs last year where he played 121. I think that 100 games might see greater production than if we just assume further decline. Some players age better than others… its always difficult to judge when someone will rapidly go down hill.

So sorry, no metric -but i think it makes more sense that if the Nats limit his games to around 100 that he might be better rested and perform better over the season. It might not – but i find it hard that a player becomes a bad hitter over night.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Mar 11, 2010 7:20 PM EST up reply actions