25-year-old, flame throwing, control-challenged right-hander Henry Rodriguez complained of tightness in his forearm earlier this season, missed time after slamming his finger in a bathroom door and was placed on the DL again on August 2nd with lower back issues. Today, however, the Nationals announced that the former Oakland A's prospect who spent time as the Nats' closer this year before flaming out in a series of tough outings, had season-ending surgery to remove bone chips and spurs from his right elbow:

Henry Rodriguez had surgery today to remove bone chip and bone spur. Davey says he pitched through it. Changes the way Nats view his year.

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) August 31, 2012

Rodriguez saved nine games in the closer's role, and ended his 2012 campaign with a 5.83 ERA, 5.11 FIP, 22 walks (6.75 BB/9) and 31 Ks (9.51 K/9) in 35 games and 29.1 IP. As quoted by MASN's Dan Kolko this afternoon, Nats' skipper Davey Johnson told reporters the team was surprised by the extent of the damage to the right-hander's elbow. "'The elbow was in a lot worse shape than anticipated,'" the MASN reporter quoted the manager explaining. Rodriguez last pitched for the Nationals on July 31st, giving up two hits, two walks and two runs in 1.1 IP against the Phillies. According to reports this afternoon, the reliever won't even pick up a baseball for at least the next three months. No word on whether or not he'll be 100% for Spring Training in 2013. More information when it's available...