Washington Nationals Pitcher Jon Lester To Have Surgery To Remove Thyroid Gland

Washington Nationals pitcher Jon Lester is set to have surgery to have his thyroid gland removed and will be away from the team for five to seven days.

Lester was diagnosed with lymphoma back in 2006 and had chemotherapy to clear up the issue. He came back to pitching for the Boston Red Sox in 2007 and has not had any health setbacks since that time.

Reports say when he reported to Nationals camp this spring, he told the coaches and team doctors that he was feeling fatigued. After a couple of tests, it was determined that he had a thyroid issue that needed to be dealt with.

The 37-year-old inked with Washington this offseason after his $25 million mutual option for 2021 was declined by the Cubs in October, ending a massive $155 million, six-year contract he had inked with Chicago.

The lefty and Washington inked a one-year deal back in mid-January worth a reported $5 million.

Lester is expected to be the number four or five starter for Washington in 2021, joining a rotation led by three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer and 2019 World Series MVP Patrick Corbin.

Entering his 16th MLB season, Lester has a lifetime 193-111 record and 3.60 ERA. He spent most of his career with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, plus part of one season with Oakland.

Last season, he threw 61 innings in the shortened 60-game season and went 3-3 with a career-high 5.16 ERA for the Cubs.