Potomac's Solis says elbow feels better; closer to bullpen session

Single-A Potomac Nationals left-hander Sammy Solis had a fairly good game against Salem Aug. 2. He went seven innings and allowed three hits with two solo homers in taking the loss, 3-0. But toward the end of the game, Solis felt pain in his elbow and got it immediately checked out by the team's medical personnel. The diagnosis was left elbow inflammation and tendinitis. The MRI came back negative. Solis has still been solid in his six high Single-A starts, going 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA, 33 strikeouts and 10 walks. Solis wanted to be careful when he first felt the pain in his elbow and was relieved it wasn't a major problem. "It turned out to really be nothing," Solis said. "It is going to take a couple of more days to get back on the mound. Once I throw a bullpen (session) in a few days, a couple days after that I will be ready to roll." Solis said he did think about it before he had his elbow looked at. In the end, he didn't want to take a chance on something so important like his pitching arm. "It is very tough (to go to the trainer)," Solis said. "But at the same time three innings isn't worth your entire career. It was unusual pain. I actually have never had arm pain before. So, it was different. I figured I would say something until something serious could potentially happen." Up until the elbow injury, Solis said he felt good despite getting a late start to the season. "I feel strong," Solis said. "It has been tough. I wanted to hit the ground running this season. I couldn't do that because I was in Florida (battling minor injuries) for a little longer than I expected. But, I am ready to go now and hopefully I can carry this team to the post season."