WASHINGTON - Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg has had bone chips removed from his surgically repaired right elbow. Saints #57 Jersey . The team said Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche also had operations this week. Harper had the bursa in his left knee repaired after it had hampered him last season. LaRoche had his left, throwing elbow cleaned up. Strasburg, who had Tommy John surgery on his elbow three years ago, missed most of the 2011 season recovering from it. He had his innings limited in 2012 by the Nationals. His surgery was done in Los Angeles, and Strasburg is expected to be ready in time for spring training. LaRoche and Harper are also expected to be ready by spring. Khiry Robinson Saints Jersey . “Hes alright,” laughed Toews, “but that Kessel guy is even better.” Whether Toews was sharing his true belief or not is beside the point. The fact that the captain of two different Stanley Cup champions would even think to make that comparison shows that Kessel is being thought of among the games elite, not just by pundits but, more importantly, by his peers. Saints #90 Jersey . Rene Tosoni homered in the 10th inning and Chris Parmelee added an RBI single to give Minnesota a 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.WINNIPEG - Another honour for NFL defensive lineman Israel Idonije. The 33-year-old from Brandon, Man., received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree Thursday from the University of Manitoba. Idonije, a defensive lineman with the Chicago Bears, played his college football at Manitoba and is the only player in school history to play in the NFL. Two weeks ago, Idonije received the Order of Manitoba. Idonije is a native of Nigeria but moved to Canada with his family when he was four years old. The six-foot-six, 275-pound Idonije is entering his 12th NFL season, 10th with Chiicago. Saints #64 Jersey. He broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2003 but joined the Bears practice squad later that season. Idonije has appeared in 149 career NFL games, starting 50. He has amassed 273 tackles, 29 sacks, six fumble recoveries and eight blocked kicks. Idonije ranks fourth in NFL history in blocked kicks since 1992 when stat first was recorded. He appeared in 15 games last season with Detroit before re-signing with Chicago as a free agent. Idonije has also created his own comic book, "The Protectors." ' ' '