Washington Nationals right-hander John Patterson, out for nearly two months with a slow-to-heal nerve injury in his right elbow, is seeking treatment on his own in Toronto that apparently isn’t approved in the United States.
After visiting four doctors in Missouri, Texas and California last week – a trip Patterson himself arranged to learn what is causing the problem – Patterson will undergo a series of injections in Canada, according to the Nationals.
Asked why his opening-day starter is going out of the country for medical treatment, Nationals manager Manny Acta said Saturday: “It’s because that treatment is not approved here in the States yet.”
Patterson and his agent made the decision to seek the unspecified treatment. The team would not elaborate on what type of injections the right-hander would receive or why he couldn’t get them from a team physician or another doctor in the United States.
Royals: First baseman Ryan Shealy was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and Ross Gload replaced him on the roster.
Orioles: Right-hander Steve Trachsel was placed on the 15-day DL – less than 24 hours after he struggled in his shortest outing in four years – with a strained muscle below his lower back.
Giants: Outfielder Fred Lewis was activated from the 15-day DL, and infielder Luis Figueroa was designated for assignment.
