Now that the Nationals’ postseason hopes have been dashed, Sean Burnett will turn his attention to addressing an injury that he pitched through during the second half of the season.
According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, Burnett will undergo surgery next week to remove a small “bone spur or two” from his left elbow. The good news is that it’s a relatively minor procedure that will likely not affect his offseason throwing program.
Burnett posted a 2.38 ERA and 57/12 K/BB ratio over 56 2/3 innings in 70 relief appearances during the regular season, but gave up four runs (three earned) over one inning of work in two appearances during the NLDS against the Cardinals. His contract includes a mutual option for next season at $3.5 million, but Kilgore speculates that Burnett is likely to decline and test the open market. Of course, the Nationals have until five days after the World Series to change his mind if they are so inclined.