ST. LOUIS -- The Nationals are facing the concerning injuries of a starting pitcher and starting catcher this week.
Right-hander Trevor Williams was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear; Keibert Ruiz was placed on the injured list for the second time in three weeks with a concussion.
Williams, 33, said on Wednesday he is scheduled to undergo an internal brace procedure on July 17 with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas. Williams noted that he is prepping in case the medical team determines the need for a different procedure.
“I’ll be going out next week to Dr. Dugas in Alabama, who is confident that it’s just going to be an internal brace procedure,” Williams said. “... But with every elbow surgery you have to prepare because an MRI can only show so much, right? So we’re going to go in preparing for a full reconstruction if the tissue or ligament doesn't look as good as the MRI shows. Best-case scenario, I'm back out there April, May. If it is full reconstruction, it'll be August, September.”
Williams is in his first full season back after missing nearly four months in 2024 because of a flexor strain. He signed a two-year, $14 million contract in December.
Williams is 3-10 with a 6.21 ERA in 17 starts this season. His last start was July 2 against the Tigers. Williams was placed on the 15-day IL on July 4 and transferred to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.
Williams was encouraged by speaking with Nationals pitching strategist Sean Doolittle, who underwent an internal brace procedure in 2022.
“It’s unfortunate that that's what it is, but I'm glad that we're going to be able to fix it and get it right,” Williams said. “I'm looking forward to hyperfocusing for the next 9-to-12 months on my health and strength, and clean up some mechanical inefficiencies that I need to clean up and get me as strong as possible to help the team, whether in May or whether on a run next year and at the end of the year.”
The Nationals plan to tab left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara in Williams’ spot in the rotation, interim manager Miguel Cairo said on Wednesday. Ogasawara, who signed from Japan this offseason, was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday to make his Major League debut after Williams was placed on the IL. Ogasawara allowed four runs off seven hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Red Sox.
Behind the plate, the Nationals are without the 26-year-old Ruiz again. Ruiz was placed on the 7-day IL on Tuesday, retroactive to Sunday, because of a concussion. He was hit square in the forehead by a Nate Eaton foul ball that knocked off his face mask in the third inning of Saturday’s game against the Red Sox. Ruiz stayed back in Washington, D.C., to visit with doctors.
This, after he missed nine games from June 24-July 4 after being struck in the head by a foul ball in the Petco Park visitors' dugout on June 23.
“It’s very delicate,” said Cairo. “When it’s in the head, we’ve got to be thinking about his health first. Right now, hopefully he recovers. We’re going to make sure he’s 100 percent before he comes back.”
The Nationals signed Ruiz to an eight-year, $50 million contract (with club options in 2031 and ‘32) in March of 2023. He is batting .247 in 68 games this season. Washington is turning to Riley Adams, who has worked in tandem with Ruiz as the backup catcher since 2021, and Drew Millas. The Nats called Millas up from Triple-A on Tuesday.
“[Millas is] a good catcher, he’s a good player, he’s a switch-hitter that can help us,” Cairo said. “Him and Riley, I’m going to play both. Riley has been doing a really good job, and hopefully he can help us here.”