Carter Kieboom has had an eventful journey in the Majors. Once tabbed as the Anthony Rendon replacement at third base for the Washington Nationals, Kieboom has struggled to stay on the baseball diamond.
Tuesday, the 25-year-old returned to the Majors, playing in his first game since October 3, 2021. It didn’t take long for him to make his presence felt against the New York Yankees.
In his first at-bat back, his first swing in nearly two years, Kieboom delivered a boom by blasting a solo home run to lead off the third inning.
Carter Kieboom has battled injuries and struggles at the plate throughout his young career. In 2021, the Nats optioned him to Triple-A after a dismal spring training. He got a chance to redeem himself in 2022. But a persistent elbow injury forced him to start the season on the injured list before he was diagnosed with a torn UCL.
Kieboom had Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss the entire 2022 season. His return this year got cut short during spring training after he suffered a setback.
Recently, Kieboom got recovered and was able to do a rehab stint in the minors.
He returned to the Nats Tuesday, batting ninth in the lineup. Kieboom’s home run was his first since August 31, 2021. Kieboom gave Washington the early 1-0 lead before the Yankees tied the game later in the third with a Ben Rortvedt solo homer.
Nats shortstop CJ Abrams broke the tie in the eight with a go-ahead solo homer, lifting Washington to a 2-1 win. The team got the victory. But it was a bigger W for Kieboom. Hopefully, his home run is the kickstart he needs to get his career back on track.
