Glover on shoulder soreness: "I'm not worried. I'll be fine."

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

February 19, 2018, 5:41am

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Though he's dealing with discomfort similar to the ailment that sidelined him for much of the 2017 season, Koda Glover insists he's not worried about the long-term state of his shoulder.

"No," the young reliever said during a brief session this morning with reporters in the Nationals clubhouse. "Do I look worried? I'm not worried. I'll be fine. I'm fine."

Glover, who missed the final four months of last season with a rotator cuff injury, reported to camp last week and informed team officials he was experiencing shoulder soreness after having thrown several bullpen sessions at home in Oklahoma prior to spring training.

An MRI revealed only inflammation, but the Nationals decided to shut him down from throwing for now. He's still participating in other drills with the rest of the pitching staff.

Glover couldn't pinpoint exactly when he began feeling this round of shoulder soreness, but he didn't mention any issues when he was in Washington in mid-December for Winterfest.

"I don't know; I can't give you an exact date," he said. "It's a little tightness. We're just pulling on the reins a little bit. We're going to take it slow. That's where we're at."

Glover, 24, did admit this shoulder pain feels similar to what he experienced last year, but "not as severe." He also felt it was important to notify the club of the problem at the first sign of trouble after waiting until the issue was much more serious last season.

"Yes, exactly," he said. "And that's what we're doing right now."