Injury News and Analysis - September 17th
Erik Bedard
He’ll undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery by Dr. Lewis Yocum (a true leader in the field) next week to figure out exactly what’s going on. Surgeons generally only do this procedure when the exam doesn’t match up with the diagnostic tests like MRI’s and CT scans. That’s not a good sign because something causes pain, even if it’s only due to his own mental makings. He’s been diagnosed with impingement previously, so I am sure they’re going to pay extra attention to the rotator cuff. There is a good possibility in my mind that he may need a repair of some sort to the rotator cuff and therefore should not be counted on for 2009. Once the results of the procedure are out I can provide a better timeline, but pitchers often come out with some sort of repair done.
Jeff Francis
Francis’ horrible follow up season got even worse as it was announced he’ll miss the remainder of the season with continued problems in his left shoulder. He was previously on the DL this year with soreness in his shoulder and it appears that it never quite was cleared up. This along with the description of soreness leads me to believe there is something wrong with the labrum or the rotator cuff. Either one would put most of next season in jeopardy. I’m assuming he’ll get a MRI soon so we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed on this one.
Mike Lowell
Lowell has an acetabular tear in his hip according to Rob Bradford of WEEI in Boston. The acetabulum acts much like the labrum does in the shoulder except that it adds much more stability to the hip joint. The tears can be extremely painful and are more often seen in other sports. Typically, arthroscopic surgery is eventually needed and I’m sure Lowell will get it done ASAP after the season. Until then there are going to be days where he aggravates it much like he did yesterday. The problem with this is that each time he “tweaks” it, the longer it takes, potentially, to heal enough to allow him back on the field. After seeing him struggle down the line yesterday I would expect that he would be off for the next couple of days, depleting the lineup even more.
Fernando Tatis
Tatis made a great diving catch yesterday but ended his season at the same time with a separated shoulder. A separated shoulder, if that is indeed what Tatis has, is an sprain to the ligaments in AC joint of the shoulder and can be extremely painful. Surgery is rarely performed except in the most severe cases but it does take a while to heal even with the best therapy. Long term there is little consequences for position players but he will be down for the next couple of weeks.
Josh Bard
Bard is another victim of poor timing as his season is most likely over after straining his triceps. He’s already missed time earlier this year with the same problem and that doesn’t even include the 50-something games he missed with a sprained ankle. Catchers have a different throwing motion that all other players on the field, therefore this doesn’t come as a complete shock especially considering his throwing base was compromised by the ankle. He’ll be able to rest it during the off-season and strengthen everything up to limit the chances of recurrence.
Shaun Marcum
Marcum left the start because of numbness in his forearm. As we’ve seen with the Beckett situation and others, it can be something relatively minor to eventually needing Tommy John surgery. Marcum’s history of an elbow sprain is extremely worrisome as I have concerns he’s going to need Tommy John surgery sooner rather than later. When the ligament is already compromised and you get tingling into the forearm and hand, the ulnar nerve is irritated by the looseness of the elbow. He may not have completely torn the ligament but I am fairly confident that it is not functional for him and he will eventually need the Tommy John surgery.
Tidbits
Milton Bradley received a cortisone injection in his wrist. He’s listed as day-to-day. Jeremy Guthrie was placed on the DL Monday with impingement. Anthony Reyes has a sore elbow and has been shut down by the Indians. Hideki Matsui plans to play Sunday and then have surgery on his knee. David Riske had bone chips removed from his elbow. B.J. Upton’s quad is improving. He should be back relatively soon. Carlos Guillen still hasn’t played for now 18 days. Jack Wilson wants to return Sunday.
[...] was also right about Marcum needing Tommy John surgery a full two days before it was even announced . This [...]