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Nationals: Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper And Adam LaRoche Have Surgery

According to multiple reports this afternoon, Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg and Adam LaRoche all had surgical procedures performed this week that will reportedly sideline each for 4-6 weeks this winter.

By Patrick Reddington
Greg Fiume

According to multiple reports this afternoon, three Washington Nationals had what are being described as "minor" surgeries in the past week. Outfielder Bryce Harper, right-hander Stephen Strasburg and first baseman Adam LaRoche all had surgery apparently.

"'That’s a definite option. It’s going to be up to Bryce and [medical director Dr. Wiemi Douoguih.]'" - Davey Johnson on potential for Harper having surgery to Washington Post's Adam Kilgore

Harper had surgery on the knee which cost him over a month on the DL this season. On Friday, Strasburg reportedly had bone chips removed from his right elbow, and LaRoche had surgery to remove "loose bodies" from his left (throwing elbow). The Nats told reporters about all three procedures this afternoon.

Outgoing Nationals' skipper Davey Johnson told reporters after Harper returned to the lineup following a month on the DL that the bursitis in Harper's knee, which he injured in a series of collisions with walls and hard sliding plays on the basepaths and in the outfield, might require offseason surgery.

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According to reports today, including one by the  Washington Post's James Wagner, the procedure performed on Wednesday was to, "debride and repair the bursa sac," in the 21-year-old slugger's left knee.

Harper finished his second major league season with a .274/.368/.486 line, 24 doubles and 20 HRs in 118 games and 497 plate appearances.

Strasburg, who was scratched from two starts late this season with tightness in his forearm, underwent the second surgical procedure on his right elbow after having Tommy John surgery in 2010. The right-hander reportedly had bone chips removed from his elbow. Aside from the scratches, there were no reports of any injury issues related to the elbow for the Nats' right-handed starter during the season. The Nationals' 09 no.1 overall pick finished his fourth major league season with an (8-9) record, a 3.00 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 56 walks (2.75 BB/9) and 191 Ks (9.39 K/9) in 30 starts and 183 IP.

Adam LaRoche was scratched from games late this season with what was described at the time as a "left bicep issue." The surgery comes after a disappointing campaign for the first baseman in which he put up a .237/.332/.403 line with 19 doubles and 20 HRs in 152 games and 590 plate appearances over which he was worth +0.6 fWAR. The rough season came after a 2012 campaign in which LaRoche finished at a career-high +3.4 fWAR while posting a .271/.343/.510 line and hitting 35 doubles and 33 HRs in 154 games and 647 PAs.

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 Photo © Norm Hall/Getty Images

Strasburg will reportedly resume a throwing program in 4-6 weeks and be ready for Spring Training. Harper and LaRoche too are expected to resume workouts in 4-6 weeks.

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