Strasburg may need Tommy John surgery - Dallas Cowboys Forum

joseephuss · 08-27-2010

I knew this guy was going to be a bust. Just joking, I feel bad for the kid.

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...-2011-season/1

Stephen Strasburg likely to have 'Tommy John' surgery, may miss 2011 season

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo announced this morning that pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg will probably require "Tommy John" elbow ligament replacement surgery.

Strasburg left his last start on Saturday with what was was initially diagnosed as a strained tendon in his forearm. But on Thursday he had a second MRI exam that showed a "significant tear of his ulnar collateral ligament," according to Rizzo.

Rizzo said Strasburg will seek a second opinion from Lewis Yocum. If Yocum agrees that surgery is necessary, Strasburg would have the procedure as soon as possible. The recovery time from "Tommy John" surgery for a pitcher is typically at least 12 months, meaning Strasburg would likely miss all of the 2011 season.

"He turned from being upset to being really focused and ready to take on this new thing on his life," Rizzo said of Strasburg, who was not in attendance at the news conference at Nationals Park. "We've had successful ones in the past, and we feel this is going to be no different. Stephen is going to be a dedicated, focused individual."

Strasburg was the first overall pick in the 2009 draft and signed a record $15.1 million contract with the Nationals. He made his pro debut this season, pitching at Class AA and AAA before being promoted to the major leagues in June. He struck out 14 in seven innings vs. the Pirates to earn a victory in his first start, dazzling baseball and creating excitement around a struggling Nationals franchise.

He continued to pitch well, with the team monitoring his workload and keeping him to less than 100 pitches in every start. He missed a start in July when he felt tightness in his shoulder warming up and was placed on the disabled list. He came back to make three starts and finishes the season 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 68 innings.

"It's frustrating, because this happens to people you think it shouldn't happen to," Rizzo said. "This player was developed and cared for the correct way. Things like this happen. Pitchers break down. Pitchers get hurt. We're satisfied with the way he was developed. I know (Strasburg's agent) Scott Boras was satisfied with the way he's been treated, and Stephen is also. We're good with that. Frustrated, yes. Second-guessing ourselves, no."

The Nationals lost another top pitching prospect, Jordan Zimmermann, a year ago to "Tommy John" surgery. Zimmermann returned to action on Thursday and allowed five runs in four innings.

"It's a tough day for (Strasburg) and for all of us, for everyone who's a Nats fan," Nationals president Stan Kasten said. "But we saw Jordan (Zimmermann) come back last night. A year from today, Stephen will be joining him."

By Peter Barzilai

DCBoysfan · 08-27-2010

CRAP!!!! I read that, the Nats dont have much to look foward to he was the lone bright spot.

Yeagermeister · 08-27-2010

Kerry Wood all over again

Joe Realist · 08-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

Kerry Wood all over again

I was thinking the exact same thing.

theebs · 08-27-2010

I wonder if he will have the surgery here. One of the arm doctors is in arlington.

JPM · 08-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

Kerry Wood all over again

Or Mark Prior.

bbgun · 08-27-2010

Looks like their version of the "Joba Rules" didn't work.

Sam I Am · 08-27-2010

This is what happens when players try to physically beat a batter vs using skill and your head.

The ability to replicate perfect form and a consistent release along with studying batters tendencies are most important. Velocity and big movement are great and improve your chances, but if you are over-throwing to gain those advantages; you are going to be doom to inconsistency and probably injury.

CJ Wilson is a good example of this. When he was in the bullpen, he would over-throw sometimes trying to give it everything he had to get the guy out. Moving him into a starting role forced him to stop over-throwing the ball because he had to pitch more innings. This allowed him to create a consistent form and release allowing him to improve his accuracy.

Right now, CJ Wilson is the best pitcher the Texas Rangers have. (yes, better than Cliff Lee at this point) He dominates when he is on the mound.

jimmy40 · 08-27-2010

funny how today the experts are on tv showing how his mechanics are so bad and it was easy to see this coming.

**ABQCOWBOY** · 08-27-2010

If I were the Nationals, I'd be asking some hard question about my pitching coaches right about now. Two young pitchers suffering the same injury usually points to poor coaching. They are either throwing something that they should not be throwing or they are being coached poorly in so far as mechanics.

Sam I Am · 08-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

If I were the Nationals, I'd be asking some hard question about my pitching coaches right about now. Two young pitchers suffering the same injury usually points to poor coaching. They are either throwing something that they should not be throwing or they are being coached poorly in so far as mechanics.

Sometimes the coach just needs to tell the player to easy up and just throw strikes. Young guys are especially prone to trying to hard.

Mariano Rivera did the same thing. He tried to improve his slider and screwed off his arm and was expected to have Tommy John surgery, but the doctor decide he didn't need it during the first surgery. Rivera learning this lesson is the reason he he also learned to depend on his cut fastball which in comparison to most other pitches is one of the least violent pitches arm wise thrown today.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

In 1992, Rivera was promoted to the Class A-Advanced Fort Lauderdale Yankees of the Florida State League (FSL). He started 10 games in Fort Lauderdale, compiling a 5–3 win–loss record and a 2.28 ERA. He attempted to improve the movement on his slider by snapping his wrist in his pitching motion, but he inadvertently caused damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. He had elbow surgery in August 1992 to repair the damage, ending his season and briefly interrupting his minor league career. It was expected that he would require Tommy John surgery, but during the procedure Rivera's doctors determined that he did not need ligament replacement. His rehabilitation coincided with the 1992 expansion draft to fill the rosters for the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies expansion teams. Rivera was left unprotected by the Yankees but was not drafted. He successfully rehabilitated his arm in the early part of 1993 and resumed pitching that year. He first joined the Rookie [View Full Quote]

They need to just let the kid know he doesn't have to throw hard pitches, just throw good pitches.

TheDallasDon · 08-27-2010

Wow I gess he;s not the next Noylan Ryan................Is that wrong? hmmmp dont care

JPM · 08-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

If I were the Nationals, I'd be asking some hard question about my pitching coaches right about now. Two young pitchers suffering the same injury usually points to poor coaching. They are either throwing something that they should not be throwing or they are being coached poorly in so far as mechanics.

I don't think he's throwing anything different, it might be his mechanics.

http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/...Strasburg.html

Bob Sacamano · 08-27-2010

Rob Biddle must feel pretty stupid right about now. He basically called him a wuss.