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Washington Nationals southpaw Jon Lester is leaving spring training camp to have surgery to remove his thyroid gland, manager Dave Martinez said on Wednesday.
Lester, 37, was due to travel from West Palm Beach, Florida to New York for the procedure.
“Hopefully he can pitch again in about a week,” Martinez said in a video conference with reporters ahead of Washington’s exhibition game against the Miami Marlins. “We want him to take care of this now, so it’s not a problem.”
Martinez said the Nationals “still have plans, at the moment, that he will start the season with us on the day scheduled, but we’ll have to see – once this procedure is over – how he feels.”
In 2006, Lester’s rookie season with the Boston Red Sox ended early as he was diagnosed with some form of lymphoma.
He underwent chemotherapy treatments and returned to the Red Sox in spring training before the following season.
Lester is entering his 16th year in the majors and his first with Washington. He was a free agent and joined the Nationals on a one-year, $ 5 million contract after playing the last six seasons with the Chicago Cubs.
The starting pitcher was originally scheduled to make his first appearance for Washington in a Grapefruit League game on Thursday.
But Martinez said after more test results arrived, a decision was made on Tuesday for Lester to have the operation.
He said Lester was feeling tired.
“That’s the big deal. I feel like once they release this he’s going to have a lot more energy throughout the day,” the manager said. “I hope this will work for him. I really do. He’s a big part of what we do here and we love having him. He’s worked his cock day in and day out, and I know he’s going. help us. “
Washington added Lester to a star-studded rotation that already included three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg, and southpaw Patrick Corbin.
Notes:
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RF Juan Soto was part of Wednesday’s roster for his show debut, second overall behind CF Victor Robles and ahead of SS Trea Turner.
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Martinez said the team will use a series of relievers on Thursday.
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