Alex Cobb told the media today that his elbow injury is worse than he previously thought and he will indeed have Tommy John surgery.
The decision was made after a new MRI revealed that the ligament in his elbow is completely torn.
Dr. James Andrews will perform the surgery next Thursday.
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Is there reason to believe that Smyly might be injured too? Velocity was down in his last start and Andriese was scratched from his start (in case he needs to be brought up).
Yep, Smyly is going to the DL. This season is going to provide an opportunity to some young buck to prove he's here to stay. One of these guys better take advantage and step up.
According to Topkin, the team cost themselves two months by not going with the more advanced MRI. Now that is frustrating.
And whatever secret program the Rays were trumpeting that was keeping their arms healthy maybe doesn't look so good. Maybe the secret sauce was they've had a bunch of young arms that haven't blown up quite yet.
But if you look at the recent top Rays pitchers, almost all have missed significant time except Price and Archer:
McGee (elbow)
Hellickson (elbow)
Moore (TJ)
Cobber (TJ and many freak injuries)
Smyly (shoulder)
I think it is just the nature of the business. Rays no better nor worse than anybody else in this regard (adjusting for age).
if you think about it, our entire piching staff throws the ball 5 to 6+ mph harder than out staff did just 10 years ago. Hell most of baseball does for that matter. Thats the price you pay for developing that skill.
That ligament on the the other hand, probably is the exact same size one Cro Magnon man sported swinging a club at the wooly mammoths in the Wurm glaciation.
Its immune to the Rays vaunted 'arm program; which actually just claimed to strengthen the shoulder, by the way.
So the stronger shoulders have ramped up the pressure on the TJ ligament.
On the bright side, insurance will pick up the team's obligation to Cobb.
Btw, great competitor, the guy has what it takes. I think he's going to go nuts watching all those games he will miss while recovering.
Very best of recoveries for him.
LOVE Cobb
It sure would be nice if the stadium had glass walls so that one could see outside during the game.