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The last reports that came out said 24-year-old Washington Nationals' closer Drew Storen was headed to see Dr. James Andrews after experiencing a setback in his recovery from elbow issues that have plagued the right-hander since the start of Spring Training. According to a series of reports on Twitter this afternoon by MLB.com's Bill Ladson (@washingnats), the '09 1st Round pick had a "minor" surgical procedure performed on his right elbow today to remove a loose body:
I was just informed that #Nats closer Drew Storen had minor elbow surgery today. The DRs removed a bone fragment from the elbow. #MLB
— William Ladson (@washingnats) April 11, 2012
#Nats closer Drew Storen is expected to return to action sometime before the All-Star break. #MLB
— William Ladson (@washingnats) April 11, 2012
Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore too confirmed the news, writing that he'd spoken to Storen's agent Brody Van Wagenen, who told the WaPost's Nats beat reporter it was what he called a "minor procedure" from which he expected Storen to recover, "... in time to make a 'meaningful contribution in 2012.' In 2011, the former Stanford Cardinal closer taken 10th overall in the 2009 Draft saved 43 games, posting a 2.75 ERA, a 3.32 FIP and striking out 74 batters (8.84 K/9) in 73 appearances and 75.1 IP. While Storen recovers, the Nationals are expected to count on both veteran reliever Brad Lidge and hard-throwing 24-year-old right-hander Henry Rodriguez to save games.