Nationals pitcher Bronson Arroyo was scratched from Wednesday’s Grapefruit League start due to shoulder soreness, which he had been experiencing since his previous start against the Marlins. The diagnosis isn’t good. Peter Gammons is reporting that Arroyo has an 80 percent tear of the labrum in his right shoulder. This is very likely the end of his playing days.
Arroyo, 39, missed the second half of the 2014 season and all of 2015 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He signed with the Nationals at the end of January on a minor league contract, hoping to prolong his career.
If this is the end of the line for Arroyo, it was a successful 15-year career during which he won 145 games, compiled a 4.19 ERA, and struck out 1,526 batters over 2,364 2/3 innings. He pitched at least 199 innings in nine consecutive seasons from 2005-13.