Pitcher Lucas Giolito, the Washington Nationals' first-round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft (16th overall), has re-injured his throwing elbow and is headed for further examination, according to a report from ESPN.com.
Giolito opted to sign with the Nationals out of high school (Studio City Harvard-Westlake) instead of accepting a scholarship to pitch at UCLA, where he had signed a letter of intent. The 6-6 righthander was a high draft pick despite tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow in March of his senior year (2012) and not pitching in high school after that.
Giolito didn't require surgery for that first injury, but he didn't make his minor-league debut in the Nationals' organization until last week. He pitched two innings and was pulled from the game, the ESPN report said.
It's some hard luck for Giolito, who made almost $3 million in a signing bonus but hasn't been able to play effectively.