Nationals catcher Jesus Flores has not appeared in a major league game since September of last season due to ongoing trouble with his right shoulder. And, from the looks of things, that isn’t likely to change anytime soon.
According to Ben Goessling of MASN, the 25-year-old catcher is again reporting problems with his surgically-repaired shoulder and has been shut down temporarily. He will be reevaluated after the All-Star break, but it’s not known when he might resume baseball-related activities.
Goessling suggests that the Nationals may never see Flores in a major league uniform again. He is arbitration-eligible after this season and this latest setback means trouble for his chances of returning to action this year.
Flores hit .301/.371/.505 over 93 at-bats in 2009 with four home runs, three doubles, two triples and 15 RBI. Perhaps the promise of working with young phenom Stephen Strasburg will make him want to remain in Washington and demand very little through the arbitration process. But, as a young and valuable catcher, he might look to cash in.
