P Boof Bonser (MIN) likely done for 2009

[TooLiveBrew]

Minnesota Star-Tribune story (by La Velle Neal)

 

Doctors today found a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in Boof Bonser's right shoulder, leading to more extensive repairs than what was first thought.

 

Bonser is out at least six months, but probably the whole season.

My reaction is that this is a total surprise, given that he underwent two MRI exams that revealed no structural damage. It's too bad for Boof, who had a good chance at a bullpen spot.

 

Still waiting for the Twins to officially announce the injury. Will check back later when more details are known.

 

3:42 Update: The Twins have made it official. The press release states that Dr. Koco Eaton, `found and repaired partial tears to the right labrum and rotator cuff in Bonser's shoulder. Bonser is expected to miss six to eight months recovering from the surgery.'

 

 

 

I saw this first at The Disabled List Informer. Chris's take:

 

The Twins were hoping to have Boof Bonser in their bullpen in 2009, but that plan is now scrapped. Dr. Koco Eaton performed surgery today on Bonser's ailing right shoulder and found a worst case scenario - tears to the labrum, as well as the rotator cuff. Repairs of both tissues were performed, which means that his season is definitely over with. This means that a best case scenario has him returning to a throwing program in June/July, and to more meaningful pitching sometime in October, but it will probably be later than that. The dual repairs certainly complicate matters.

 

Many readers of the Minneapolis-St.Paul Tribune have commented (follow link, scroll to bottom) on the report of Bonser's surgery, talking about the two separate MRIs that apparently did not show conclusive presence of the injuries. How did two MRIs not show anything conclusive?

 

First, the Doctors and Radiologists that read the imaging films need to have a good image to read. If there is any disturbance in the MRI (such as when a patient moves during the test), the results can be off. If the picture isn't of good quality, it will be more difficult to read/diagnose the problem.

 

Secondly, MRI sometimes does not always show tears of the labrum definitively. An MRI is a diagnostic tool, not a 100% diagnostic certainty. If an Orthopedist suspects a labrum tear to be present, they could order an MRA (a more definitive MRI that uses a contrast medium that more readily shows small or hard-to-find tears).

 

Whatever happened to trusting your own thorough physical examination findings? Physical examination can be the single best diagnostic tool to the examiner when used in conjunction with the array of various imaging that is available.

 

No real fantasy impact here as Bonser probably not going to be in the starting rotation to start the year, unless there was an injury to one of their top five (Baker, Liriano, Slowey, Blackburn, Perkins). Bonser has posted horrible ERA and WHIP over the past two seasons, though his stikeout rate has at least been serviceable since entering the league (7.28 per 9).

 

Have I ever mentioned how much I freaking love The Disabled List Informer? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Has to be my favorite baseball blog.

[LaprilOne]

Too bad for Boof.

 

Too bad for fans, he was fun to watch, and has one of the best names ever in baseball!

 

Booooooooooooooooooooof Bonnnnzzeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[craigharmann]

Also great commentary on "Strain" Milton Bradley.

[hawing]

Does this means the Twins have been Boofed?

[Yeti73]

Too bad for the Twins. Remember two years ago when he absolutely shut us down? Many thought he would be a solid pitcher for them and was an elite prospect at one point. Twins have had their fair share of "luck" with prospects and they need it to compete. Still, they're the team to beat in the AL Central if you ask me.