Nationals' Mason Denaburg: Returns after multi-year absence
Rotowire
Denaburg (elbow) has given up four earned runs on four hits and seven walks while striking out seven over five innings across two starts with Single-A Fredericksburg since being activated from the 7-day injured list May 24.
A 2018 first-round pick, Denaburg is back pitching in games again for the first time since 2019 after he underwent shoulder surgery in the winter of 2019 and then had Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2021. Because of his extensive arm injuries, the 21-year-old's workload is expected to be monitored carefully this season.
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Nationals' Mason Denaburg: Undergoes Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
The Nationals announced Sunday that Denaburg (shoulder) recently underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Denaburg was believed to be entering 2021 at full health after having recovered from the arthroscopic right shoulder surgery he required in October 2019, but the 2018 first-round pick has a new arm injury to contend with. He'll end up missing the entire 2021 season and a large portion of the 2022 campaign while he recovers from the elbow injury. Given that he has yet to pitch at a full-season affiliate and now has two major arm procedures on his ledger, the 21-year-old doesn't look like an especially enticing player to hold in dynasty leagues.
Nationals' Mason Denaburg: Ready to move forward in rehab
Rotowire
Denaburg (shoulder) said Tuesday that he expects to resume throwing bullpen sessions in the next three weeks, Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com reports.
The 2018 first-round pick has been pleased thus far with how he's progressed since undergoing arthroscopic right shoulder surgery last October. Denaburg plans to gradually increase his long-toss distance off flat ground through the end of July, and then get back on the mound for the first time since last summer. If the 20-year-old can steer clear of any major setbacks in his throwing program during the upcoming offseason, he should head into the 2021 minor-league season at full strength.
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Nationals' Mason Denaburg: Not at summer camp
Rotowire
Denaburg was not placed in the Nationals' 60-man player pool as he continues his rehab from an arthroscopic shoulder procedure over the winter, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports. "All reports have been positive," Nats assistant general manager for player development Mark Scialabba said this weekend. "Mason is at his home and we are closely monitoring his progress as he continues his rehab."
The 27th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Denaburg has had a bumpy start to his pro career due to shoulder trouble. Assuming his recovery goes smoothly, he should be able to get back on track in 2021, but the right-hander will still be a few years away from a potential big-league debut.
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Nationals' Mason Denaburg: To be handled carefully this year
Rotowire
Denaburg (shoulder) will be managed cautiously this year, Byron Kerr of MASNsports.com reports.
He pitched through a shoulder injury in 2019 and it led to horrible results (7.52 ERA, 1.82 WHIP). The goal in 2020 will be for Denaburg to have some success on a light workload before the training wheels come off in 2021. He will likely be assigned to Low-A for his age-20 season whenever the minor-league season gets underway.
Nationals' Mason Denaburg: Recovering from shoulder injury
Rotowire
Denaburg hasn't pitched in any games for the Nationals' rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate since Aug. 3 while recovering from a shoulder strain, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.
The Nationals don't seem to be viewing the 20-year-old's injury as a serious concern, as he hasn't been officially shut down for the season and remains in the midst of a rehab program. A first-round pick in the 2018 first-year player draft, Denaburg didn't make his professional debut until this season after biceps tendinitis sidelined him shortly after he was selected.
Denaburg has a 6.27 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB through 18.2 innings for the GCL Nationals.
The 19-year-old is taking his lumps in his first taste of the pros, walking multiple batters in five of his six appearances and coughing up 11 runs in his last three. Denaburg got a late start to the season due to biceps soreness, which could be playing into his control issues, but this is still a disappointing performance from the 27th overall pick in the 2018 draft. Unless he can tighten things up to close out the season, expect his prospect status to take a big hit over the winter.
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Nationals' Mason Denaburg: Impressive pro debut
Rotowire
Denaburg allowed three hits and two walks over four scoreless innings for the GCL Nationals on Monday. He struck out five.
The Nats' first-round pick in 2018, Denaburg didn't pitch at all after signing last year and was held back to start this season due to concerns over biceps tendinitis in his last year of high school, but the time off didn't seem to hurt the 19-year-old at all as he dazzled in his professional debut. The organization won't rush him, but if he continues overmatching Gulf Coast League hitters, a bump up to a full-season rookie league before the end of the season wouldn't be a surprise.
Nationals' Mason Denaburg: Held back to begin season
Rotowire
Denaberg will begin the season at extended spring training, Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com reports.
The Nats' No. 4 fantasy prospect, and the organization's top pitching prospect, Denaberg is being brought along slowly after missing time in his high school draft year with biceps tendinitis, but there's no indication he's less than 100 percent now. The 19-year-old will have his workload strictly monitored in his first pro campaign, but his fastball and curve both project to be plus, and he could shoot up rankings quickly once he gets assigned to an affiliate.
