Rep. Adam Smith likely won’t be playing in the upcoming Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game, due to hip problems.  

“I couldn’t be able to play, I think,” the Washington Democrat told CQ Roll in a brief interview in the Speaker’s Lobby. “Major problem with my hip, unfortunately — hips, plural. So I got one operated on and I’m waiting for that one to heal before I get the second one operated on.” Smith’s injuries are probably unwelcome news for his Democratic teammates. He has participated in all but one game since he first came to Congress in 1997, and is a solid fielder and hitter. In 2001, Smith was named the Democrats’ most valuable player.  

“It’s disappointing,” Smith said of sitting out this year’s game, “but at this point I’m looking forward to just being able to walk.”  

Smith’s recent surgery involved completely reshaping his hip due to torn cartilage. He also suffers from bone spurs, bone growth in the wrong places and loose cartilage. He is clearly still in pain, laboring as he walks.  

The Washington Democrat said he has not informed the Democrats’ coach, Rep. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania, that he won’t be playing this year.  

“With Mike, he’s going to say, ‘Well let’s sit on it,’” Smith said. “Maybe a miracle will come to pass, but I think for the most part I’ll be physically unable to play for at least this year.”  

In a 2013 profile , Smith said Doyle was the reason he kept coming back to the team. But the coach’s persistence might not be enough to bring Smith back to the plate this year.  

The Washington Democrat’s news comes as the team’s star pitcher, Rep. Cedric L. Richmond of Louisiana, is recovering from a shoulder injury. When that news broke in October, Richmond insisted he would head back to the mound this year. He helped lead the Democrats to their sixth straight win against Republicans in 2014, when they trounced the GOP 15-6. The 54th Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game is scheduled to take place at Nationals Park on June 11.  

Connor O’Brien contributed to this report.
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