2009 INJURIES: TB's Pena done for the season (broken fingers)

[TooLiveBrew]

Jake Peavy initially tweaked the inner aspect of his right ankle back on May 22 while running the bases against the Cubs. It looks like the lack of attention to this injury could have cost the Padres a chance at keeping their ace on the hill - or even a chance at trading him before the July 31 deadline.

You would have thought that your franchise, stud pitcher would have received a MRI on his ankle after continuing to complain of discomfort, or when he needed extra days of rest between starts. Or when it was clear that he wasn't pushing off the right ankle with nearly the same force and vigor.

After going back and forth in the media about the severity of Peavy's ankle injury, Bud Black finally said that it was a "minor issue." Turns out this minor issue is not so minor after all.

He will be casted in a hard cast for about 4 weeks, at which time he will be re-evaluated. Think of the David Ortiz situation last year, except in the ankle. The tendon in question is more than likely the Posterior Tibialis tendon, which courses from the lower shin, wraps around the inner ankle bone (Medial Malleolus), and inserts under the arch of the foot. It is responsible for controlling pronation - your foot going "flat" - and is very importantly in dynamic control of the foot and arch in general.

Since tendons heal very poorly anyway, you can expect him to be out 8 weeks at the very absolute minimum, with a more likely scenario having him out upwards of 12 weeks-plus. A compounding factor here is that the location of the tendon predisposes itself to chronic irritation, especially if the person has a fallen arch to begin with. With every step you take, the tendon is activated during the gait cycle to control the foot, so it is being used. This is why the hard cast is so important early on, to allow for healing to take place.

 

Honestly, is there anything good to say about the Padres as an organization right now?

[Invader3K]

Wow, hard to believe any team could be so irresponsible with their ace pitcher, especially one they were potentially looking to trade soon.

[logan82]

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot, sort of.

[twobrewers]

Joey Votto...

 

I wonder how they feel about that situation in Cincinatti. Can you imagine if Prince missed a couple of weeks for "stress"? I don't know whether to feel bad for Votto - or think he is a huge wussy?

[TooLiveBrew]

Just the fact that there's just foggy, foggy talk about his status makes me think (but not hope) that there's something kinda major wrong for Votto. I recall the situation for Jason Giambi was really long & drawn out (parasitic infection...?... iirc), and obviously Sheets dealt with some rough DL time on his inner ear infection.

 

There just haven't been many updates, and they've all seemed to bear a 'thumbs up!' or, 'we won't elaborate any more' kind of badge. I hope Votto can get back & play soon, but I really am not holding my breath.

 

First it was an ear infection, now it's stress-related anxiety?

[jjfanec]

The above article makes it seem like Peavy is likely out 3 months but Jon Heyman in an article today says it is likely that he misses a month or two with a remote possibility of missing the season.

[sargennm]

Anxiety is a strange bird. It can come on out of nowhere and be really crippling - and that's for people who don;t perform in front of 30,000 other people every day.

 

I think anyone who's ever had a loved one deal with a serious mental illness issue before wouldn't call Votto a wussy. I don't think the Reds DL the best player on their team for more than two weeks unless there is something seriously wrong going on here. I hope he's working on his issues in the appropriate way and gets back on the field soon.

[hawing]

I struggle with anxiety myself, so I'm noticing a soft spot for the MLB players who are having problems with it (even when they play on teams I dislike).

 

I'm surprised at how many there have been this season: Dontrelle Willis and Khalil Greene come to mind offhand, now Votto too. Because it's something I live with, I've noticed each of these diagnoses as they're announced - so I'm fairly confident that I would have noticed similar cases in previous years. Maybe it's only in 2009 that teams feel comfortable announcing it instead of coming up with some other explanation.

 

Since one of my triggers for anxiety is health problems (worrying about them), I can totally imagine myself having some dizzy spells, as Votto has had, and then freaking out.

[RyDogg66]

Also I think ear infection is code or just plan all-encompassing explanation for conditions that trainers cant put their fingers on. Denard Span was placed on the DL for an inner ear disorder as well. What the heck is going on?

[homer]

Halladay went on the 15 day DL today.

[Menace II Sobriety]

Joey Votto...

 

I wonder how they feel about that situation in Cincinatti. Can you imagine if Prince missed a couple of weeks for "stress"? I don't know whether to feel bad for Votto - or think he is a huge wussy?

I read tonight that Votto's dad passed away a few days before he was placed on the DL and the team made up the ear infection deal in order to cover it up. I did not dig any deeper into this but it would make sense for the team to tell him to take his time to come to grips with the situation and get back when he was ready. They have him under team control for 5 more years so this would make sense.

[PeaveyFury]

I read tonight that Votto's dad passed away a few days before he was placed on the DL and the team made up the ear infection deal in order to cover it up.

 

Because there's a reason to cover up his dad passing away? That doesn't make much sense....

[wibadgers23]

Raul Ibanez now on the 15-day DL.

 

 

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez has gone on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin.

John Mayberry Jr. was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday to take Ibanez's roster spot. Ibanez is batting .312 with 22 homers and 59 RBIs, ranking second in the NL in homers and RBIs.

Mayberry was 2 for 9 with a double, homer and three RBIs in his first stint with the Phillies last month. He was hitting .257 with eight homers and 31 RBIs for the IronPigs.

[TooLiveBrew]

Because there's a reason to cover up his dad passing away? That doesn't make much sense....

 

Totally agree. The Reds have come across as a bit of a mess regarding their injuries.

[Fatter than Joey]

I read tonight that Votto's dad passed away a few days before he was placed on the DL and the team made up the ear infection deal in order to cover it up.

 

Because there's a reason to cover up his dad passing away? That doesn't make much sense....

This was my exact reaction as well -- I realize the Reds probably want to protect the Votto's privacy, however, that is what the bereavement list is for.

 

I think it should be illegal for teams to be deliberately misleading about injuries.

[whizkid]

Votto's dad died last August. According to the story Votto requested that it be kept secret then.

[homer]

I think it should be illegal for teams to be deliberately misleading about injuries.

 

Actually, according to HIPAA laws it's probably illegal for them to talk about injuries involving doctor visits and medical tests. The players probably sign some waiver on that though.

[TooLiveBrew]

Roy Halladay hit the DL today with a groin strain but should be back immediately when activated. The mild discomfort he felt during today's bullpen should be completely gone when he is eligible to return. That Halladay was supposed to face the Nationals in his next start also made the decision easier to make.

...

Erik Bedard is going to have his left shoulder examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum tomorrow in Anaheim, so it will be interesting to see what diagnosis he comes back with. Bedard was complaining of stiffness and an achy feeling in the back of his shoulder, which usually points to a mild rotator cuff strain. He has had a very good season thus far despite having offseason surgery. The M's are hoping he will be able to start next Tuesday, but this is likely just them spouting off to the media so that it keeps whatever trade value he had relatively steady. I don't see Bedard making his next start, but should be back soon thereafter if this is a minor shoulder issue that I believe it is.

...

Ervin Santana is sidelined with "forearm tightness." We've heard this diagnosis before, and it usually is one that Toronto likes to use to hide their elbow injuries. Since Santana was originally on the DL to start the year with an elbow ligament tear, the news of forearm tightness should raise a red flag - despite his "clean" MRI that was taken recently.

...

Jorge Cantu has been back in the lineup since recently complaining of dizziness due to what is believed to be a cholesterol controlling medication he had been taking. I have had emails asking if this is the same thing Joey Votto had, and this is totally different. Cantu should be back to playing every day now that the meds are not on board.

...

Speaking of Joey Votto , he should be back to the Reds lineup fairly soon. The word is that he will be back by "the end of the month", though I don't see any major reason to let it draw out that long since we're not dealing with an "injury", so to speak. Once he feels confident in his ability to play with a clear mind, he will be back. Only Joey can figure that one out, so I imagine if he feels he is ready to return early, he will let the Manager know and they would oblige.

[TooLiveBrew]

Jed Lowrie is on schedule to return before the All-Star break, and has been taking batting practice both left and right handed. He is due to start a rehab assignment at AAA-Pawtucket that should last most, if not all, of next week - and perhaps then some. With Nick Green playing very well defensively and hitting right around .290, there is no rush to bring Lowrie back. Once he gets his timing and bat control back, expect a callup, because Lowrie is a fantastic defensive shortstop even though his arm isn't the strongest out there.

...

Grady Sizemore has shown some improvement as he attempts to return from an inflamed Olecranon Bursa in his throwing elbow. He has been cleared to hit and throw this weekend, but this is probably more what I will call a "diagnostic clearance", i.e. let's see if you can hit and throw, and if you can't, you probably need surgery. If he can hit and throw with maximal effort without pain, he's probably out of the woods. If not, well, he is probably heading towards arthroscopy. Even trainer Lonnie Soloff left open the possibility, saying, "We're optimistic at this point, but surgery remains an option should he fail. It's responded about as expected without activity." Stay tuned.

...

Raul Ibanez has been placed on the 15-day DL (against his wishes) with a strained left groin. Having recently slumped at the plate, this is probably a good idea, though I'm surprised they didn't wait until closer to the All-Star break.

...

Jonathan Broxton was inactive last night as he received an injection for a "sore nerve" in his right big toe. It seems likely to be a Morton's Neuroma, which is a benign nerve mass that develops in the distal part of the foot and toes when there is excessive pressure being placed upon the forefoot. Since this is the foot that he pushes off with, this could be a result of a foot that falls into pronation (flattens out) late in the push off. Injections usually work, but if this is a neuroma, it will come back at some point. Fix the biomechanics of the foot and it should stay quiet. Though Broxton is expected back tonight, I wouldn't be surprised to see them hold him out until Friday.

...

Denard Span's dizziness should clear up very soon, so don't expect any lasting effects from the inner ear infection he has been dealing with.

...

Jason Isringhausen blew out his UCL last Saturday while throwing a pitch in the 8th inning against Washington. Last offseason, he had surgery to repair a flexor tendon at his right elbow, so this is probably a secondary effect of some lingering, isolated weakness at the medial elbow. It's hard to say if this is the end of the road for Izzy, but it sure wouldn't surprise me if it is.

...

Chris Young did not respond well to either of the Cortisone injections he received, and has been placed on the DL with shoulder inflammation. He has been told that he does not need surgery to correct whatever is ailing him, but the fact that he hasn't responded to Cortisone is not an indicator of something that will be short-lived. Expect him to miss more than the two starts that they are reporting he will miss.

[TooLiveBrew]

Last Wednesday, I warned owners of Ervin Santana of the status of his elbow. Though his pain is now being reported to be in the back of his elbow (in the Triceps), it should be noted that he had recently had soreness just distal to the elbow at the proximal aspect of the forearm. This is certainly directly related to his previous ligament tear, even though the pain is not coming from the ligament itself. Instability of the medial elbow in pitchers can end up causing muscular overuse and excessive strain, so this is nowhere near being unexpected. Good luck trading him now, but if you can, I would not hesitate. His DL move was retroactive to June 12, but I wouldn't expect him back until July 1 or so.
...
Akinori Iwamura avoided a reconstructive surgery of his ACL, and instead ended up with a simple menisectomy and debridement of the partially frayed Anterior Cruciate ligament. When the surgeon went in to examine the knee, he found there to be a stable ACL with only minor loose frayed edges, hence no need to reconstruct it. Examining the knee through the arthroscope prior to any major reconstruction is standard operating procedure. Basically, the surgeon needs to fully identify the damaged ligament prior to performing the surgery. Since the integrity was good, there was no need to reconstruct it. The actual reconstructive surgery is performed arthroscopically, not in an open fashion. Good thing they don't harvest the tendon graft before they actually know what's going on in there! What could have been a season ending injury has now turned into a scenario where it should take 6 to 8 weeks to return, and no longer.

[TooLiveBrew]

Brandon Webb is likely heading towards season ending shoulder surgery, according to the Arizona Republic. Apparently, there is word that he has a torn labrum, but any other damage aside from this is unknown at this time. Should he have surgery within a week or two, there is almost no chance of him returning for Spring Training in 2010, and could be sidelined into next Summer.
...
Edinson Volquez continues to deal with forearm pain following a painful side session where he was merely throwing on flat ground. He is likely out until after the All-Star break, probably early August. He has been shut down until his forearm is pain-free. I am concerned that the first MRI was not deemed good enough to read because of the amount of swelling in the area - something that, to me, indicates a notable amount of damage in the area. A minor strain or sprain is not going to cause that much swelling. A good size ligament or tendon tear would, though.

 

Neault was spot-on in calling the Reds' 'diagnosis' on Volquez bunk.

[TooLiveBrew]

Xavier Nady felt pain in his right medial elbow while making a throw from the outfield yesterday, and it seems likely that the Platelet Rich Plasma long shot treatment did not work to heal his torn UCL. Keep watch for any news on Nady, and don't expect it to be good news.
...
Brandon Webb should just have shoulder surgery already. He had pain last week simply throwing light toss on the side, so it isn't like he's close to being fully healthy. What is the point in seeing three more Doctors who are all going to tell you the same thing? Here's hoping that the labrum is the only thing involved, and nothing more.
...
The Diamondbacks continue to get blasted with injuries, as Eric Byrnesis out for the next one to two months after having his left hand fractured by a pitch from Scott Feldman. The fracture was to the 5th metacarpal bone, and will require surgery to fixate it. The fact that he needs surgery means that the fracture caused malrotation in the shaft of the bone, hence the need to realign it for proper healing.
...
Roy Halladay is ready to pitch on Monday, following a successful 50-pitch, full-effort bullpen session today. Said Halladay, "I feel good. I feel it's completely gone, so we'll carry on with the plan, and I think pitch Monday is what we're going to do from here. I felt good. I was encouraged. It was a full bullpen - full effort - and I didn't feel anything." Sounds good to me.
...

Matt Lindstrom is out for the next 4 to 6 weeks with a right elbow sprain, and has been ordered to not throw during this time period. He had dealt earlier this season with a rotator cuff strain following his time in the WBC. With Lindstrom out, expect Leo Nunez and Dan Meyer to take over the closing duties. Both have pitched very well in 2009 and are solid additions to any roster.

...

Aramis Ramirez is still planning to take batting practice this weekend, though his recent comments are definitely erring on the side of caution in regards to his ability to play through the shoulder condition. Ramirez told the Sun-Times, "It's sore still, but it's going to be there for a while. I don't know. I've never played like that before. When I got hurt in 2000 [dislocating the same shoulder on Aug. 28], I didn't play the rest of the year, so I don't know how I'm going to react. Once I start playing, then I'll know." He went on to say, "We'll see how it goes. It depends. Hopefully, I don't have to take a lot of time off. I've already taken enough time."

If it sounds like he's concerned that his shoulder won't hold up, that's because he should be. He probably needs surgery to tighten up his shoulder joint in the off season, and since he has already dislocated it twice (that we know of), he is already more predisposed to another injury of this sort. All we can hope for is that he comes back, contributes offensively, and doesn't have to make too many diving plays.

Not good news for the Cubbies.

[TooLiveBrew]

Joey Votto seems like he's back following last night's 4-for-5 game that included a home run, a double, and 3 RBI. He had been on the DL due to stress-related anxiety.

Seems like Votto will be fine. Great news... sort of http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[TooLiveBrew]

Well, that news didn't take long to break. Looks like Xavier Nadyis done for the season and will undergo another Tommy John surgery, which means that if he returns next year, it will definitely be after the All-Star break - if at all.

Tough loss for the Yanks.

[logan82]

I have to say I am surprised how serious A-Ram's shoulder injury is. It didn't look like much when it happened. You see guys dive like that all the time. He must have landed just wrong.