Kimball's surgery set for Wednesday in New York

Nationals right-handed relief pitcher Cole Kimball is scheduled to undergo surgery for a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder Wednesday in New York, performed by Dr. David Altchek. Kimball said it will be a full year of rehabilitation and he hopes to be back to 100 percent during the All-Star break in 2012. Kimball was called up May 14 and pitched very well in 12 appearances, going 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA. He had 11 strikeouts and 11 walks with only three earned runs allowed. The 11 walks were high for Kimball and probably were an example of how much his shoulder was bothering him and yet he tried to fight through it. "It is part of the business," Kimball said. "We are out there using our bodies the way we do and for pitchers it is really violent. It comes with the territory, sometimes. I have never had surgery or needed surgery." Kimball said he has pitched through pain for most of the season and is looking forward to next season when he can pitch again pain free. "I feel like I haven't even got to pitch 100 percent here," Kimball said. "I am kind of excited to feel what it would be like to pitch when I am 100 percent. I was dealing with it for awhile. I was just doing what I could to pitch with it. I didn't know how bad it was or severe it was so I just pushed through it and thought it would go away. It never went away." Kimball said he will be smart with the rehab and not rush back, making sure to stay on the schedule the team's medical staff requires. "It is something where I will really have to fight my brain on," Kimball said. "I want to be better right now. But I can't be."