Jason Marquis undergoes successful surgery

Jason Marquis underwent successful surgery today to remove bone chips from his elbow and is expected to return to the major leagues in eight weeks, General Manager Mike Rizzo said.

Marquis pitched Tuesday in a minor league rehab assignment and the next day felt his elbow "locked up," he said. Tim Kremcheck performed today's surgery. Marquis will start rehab immediately, and in four to six weeks he will be able to begin throwing in minor league rehab games.

The Nationals signed Marquis offseason to a two-year, $15 million contract, and the start to his Nationals tenure was nothing less than a disaster. He went 0-3 with a 20.52 ERA in three starts, but the injury made the Nationals believe his dismal results owed to health and will be amended when he comes back.

"Hopefully he's back helping the Nationals win some games," Rizzo said. "I'm a big track record guy. I always believe he's going to revert back to what he's always been. This just kind of verified that.

"In a couple months, he comes back, it's like making a trade. You get, at the trade deadline, a guy that pitched in the All-Star Game last year. I think it'll be a big boost for the club."