New York Yankees star rookie pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is already on the disabled list because of elbow problems, but the news received late Thursday night is even more devastating. MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reports that Tanaka has a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, the injury that normally leads to Tommy John surgery.
There is no surgery scheduled or even recommended yet, but that recommendation could become inevitable. For now, three separate physicians advise rest and rehab, which would put the rookie sensation out of action for at least six weeks. If there is no progress, then Tommy John surgery would most likely follow.
Tanaka was seen by 3 doctors, none of whom have recommended surgery now. Rehab would take 6 weeks. If it fails, TJ surgery possible.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) July 11, 2014
Hoch quoted Yankees general manager Brian Cashman discussing the news and the loss of his new ace. Cashman gives hope that the rehab schedule will work, but he expressed obvious disappointment, Said Cashman,
“Hopefully no more than six weeks. Time will tell. It’s a disappointing situation and one that none of us wanted to be talking about or experiencing. Unfortunately, the facts are the facts. We found out now, and we know what we’re dealing with.”
At this point, six weeks would put Tanaka’s return date at the end of August, just in time for the September stretch. The Yankees are currently in third place in the A.L. East, four games behind the Baltimore Orioles, entering play on July 11. They have a record of 46-45 and a team ERA of 3.99. Tanaka is 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA. The Yankees were already in some trouble, but losing their best pitcher for an extended time makes this situation far, far worse.
The Yankees have already lost CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova for the season. The injury-prone Michael Pineda has started a throwing program, but he is not due back until mid-August. The Yankees have brought in Brandon McCarthy (traded for Vidal Nuno) from Arizona, but they will need more pitching to stay in contention.
Even worse, if Tanaka does end up needing Tommy John surgery, then he would likely miss all or most of 2015 as well. Hoch reminds us that the New York Mets’ Matt Harvey tried rehab to avoid surgery, but he eventually had it done. Harvey is out for the entire season unless he gets to pitch in a game or two right at the end.
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter gave a statement wishing his teammate well but understands the possibility of season-ending surgery for Tanaka. Said Jeter,
“You hope for the best. I’m not a doctor and I don’t exactly know what all that means, but any time you say no surgery, that’s what you hope for. You hope that he gets back healthy and gets back soon.”
The Yankees and their fans certainly feel the same way and wish Tanaka a speedy recovery.
PHOTO CREDIT: Yahoo! Sports