RSS
Zagurski likely to elect to undergo Tommy John surgery
Two days after throwing a pair of sliders "that didn't feel right" or felt downright "awful," Phillies left-handed reliever Mike Zagurski was contemplating the next step, which could be season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Zagurski, already on the 15-day disabled list as he recovers torn right hamstring surgery he had in September, had his left elbow examined from team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti Monday.
The 25-year-old left-hander received the bad news Monday night.
"I was stunned - I thought it was the flexor tendon, which controls your two fingers," Zagurski said. "(With that), you’d take three weeks off and then another three weeks and you can start throwing again; that’s kind of what we thought it was and what I was hoping for.
"So when he told me, I kind of had to take a step back."
The tests revealed ulnar nerve damage in the elbow. Zagurski can choose to rehab the arm for three months or have corrective Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.
"If I rehab and it works, great; if I rehab and it doesn’t work, than I’m three months behind where I could have been and I’d miss the majority of 2009, too," said Zagurski, who said he's leaning toward surgery.
Zagurski was a surprise call-up last season. The 2005, 12th-round draft pick started the season in Clearwater before being promoted to the major league club in May. He posted a 5.91 ERA in 21 1/3 innings over 25 games.
Having had a chance to play in the big leagues, the young lefty has the motivation to get through surgery and rehab.
"I think if I was sitting in A-ball I’d be thinking to myself, 'Do I really want to do this, I’m still 5 steps away.'" Zagurski said. "But being there, and knowing that I was here once and there’s no reason I can’t get back, that should hopefully give me the push to get where I want to go."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Archive Files
In today's Daily Times, Brad Lidge will start the season on the DL, Tom Gordon will take over closer duties and other news items.
Also, Greg Dobbs is one of the few Phillies with an option to be sent down to Triple-A; he likely won't see Lehigh Valley in April, but he has thought about it.
Zagurski, already on the 15-day disabled list as he recovers torn right hamstring surgery he had in September, had his left elbow examined from team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti Monday.
The 25-year-old left-hander received the bad news Monday night.
"I was stunned - I thought it was the flexor tendon, which controls your two fingers," Zagurski said. "(With that), you’d take three weeks off and then another three weeks and you can start throwing again; that’s kind of what we thought it was and what I was hoping for.
"So when he told me, I kind of had to take a step back."
The tests revealed ulnar nerve damage in the elbow. Zagurski can choose to rehab the arm for three months or have corrective Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.
"If I rehab and it works, great; if I rehab and it doesn’t work, than I’m three months behind where I could have been and I’d miss the majority of 2009, too," said Zagurski, who said he's leaning toward surgery.
Zagurski was a surprise call-up last season. The 2005, 12th-round draft pick started the season in Clearwater before being promoted to the major league club in May. He posted a 5.91 ERA in 21 1/3 innings over 25 games.
Having had a chance to play in the big leagues, the young lefty has the motivation to get through surgery and rehab.
"I think if I was sitting in A-ball I’d be thinking to myself, 'Do I really want to do this, I’m still 5 steps away.'" Zagurski said. "But being there, and knowing that I was here once and there’s no reason I can’t get back, that should hopefully give me the push to get where I want to go."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Archive Files
In today's Daily Times, Brad Lidge will start the season on the DL, Tom Gordon will take over closer duties and other news items.
Also, Greg Dobbs is one of the few Phillies with an option to be sent down to Triple-A; he likely won't see Lehigh Valley in April, but he has thought about it.
posted by Ryan at
10:14 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home