:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61416819/usa_today_11252737.0.jpg)
Jeremy Hellickson re-injured his right wrist in Saturday’s win over the Atlanta Braves, in his first start back off the Disabled List.
Hellickson initially injured the wrist in an August 15th game in Busch Stadium in St. Louis, falling on it while covering home on a play at the plate, and he ended up on the DL again after he’d injured his hamstrong in Atlanta earlier this season.
Hellickson, 31, returned from his second DL stint of the season early this week, and Davey Martinez decided to give his veteran starter the ball in Saturday’s game with the Braves in SunTrust Park.
Hellickson said he re-injured the wrist fouling off the first pitch in that final AB. Will get an MRI when he gets back to DC but admits he won’t be able to return this season.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 15, 2018
It was apparently a choice between Hellickson and rookie right-hander Jefry Rodriguez, but Martinez opted for Hellickson since the Nats were trying to limit Rodriguez’s innings over the last few weeks since he was already significantly over what he threw last season (149 2⁄3 innings total after Saturday, up from 57 IP in 2017, when he received an 80-game suspension for a failed PED test).
“It worked out perfect,” Martinez told reporters on Friday afternoon, as quoted by MASN’s Mark Zuckerman.
“We’re very comfortable with Hellickson. He feels good. So he’ll get a chance to start tomorrow.”
In five second-half starts before the injury on a play at the plate in St. Louis, Hellickson was (1-2) with a 4.26 ERA, seven walks, 15 Ks, and a .232/.311/.411 line against in 25 1⁄3 innings.
Hellickson gave up a run early on Saturday with Ronald Acuña, Jr. reaching first on a shift-beating single to the right side, going first-to-third on an errant pick attempt, and scoring on a sac fly to tie things up at 1-1 after one.
Hellickson held the Braves to one run through three, but injured his wrist again swinging through a slider from Julio Teheran and left the game two strikes into his fourth inning at bat.
Hellickson will get an MRI in DC, but he felt the same pain in the wrist as he did when he sprained it. He's pretty convinced he's done for the season.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) September 15, 2018
Jeremy Hellickson’s Line: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 60 P, 38 S, 3/0 GO/FO.
It was the third significant injury for Hellickson this season, with the first a hamstring injury one batter into his only other start against the Braves in SunTrust Park back on June 3rd.
Hellickson, who signed a minor league deal this past March when no one else was calling, told reporters he was frustrated with the way things turned out now that he’s likely done.
Juan Soto doing Juan Soto things t-shirt from Breaking T:
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/12874683/Screen_Shot_2018_09_09_at_1.05.23_AM.png)
LINK: Get a new Juan Soto t-shirt from Breaking T HERE
“I love taking the ball every fifth day,” Hellickson said, as quoted by MLB.com’s Jamal Collier, “... and competing and just going out there with these guys. To only make 19 starts, it sucks. But I’ve just got to think about other things and try to get healthy.”
“It’s been tough for him. Weird injuries,” Davey Martinez said.
“Has nothing to do with his arm. His arm is in great shape. It’s just little weird injuries.”
Over 19 starts and 91 1⁄3 IP, Hellickson was (5-3) with a 3.45 ERA, a 4.22 FIP, 20 walks (1.97 BB/9), and 65 Ks (6.41 K/9).
Will he have more suitors this winter? He’s going to have an MRI when the Nationals get to Miami to determine the extent of the damage. When healthy, he’s show this season that he still has something to contribute to whichever team is willing to take a chance on him next time around.