Leading Tommy John surgeon defends procedures for MLB players during coronavirus crisis

Jumping ahead somewhat to the relevant content:

In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle’s Henry Schulman, Dr. Neal ElAttrache — a Los Angeles-based surgeon who performs Tommy John surgery and other procedures for several teams — said that such surgeries are too important to players’ livelihoods to be considered elective.

From the Chronicle:

“People need to be a little more thoughtful how they judge Tyler Beede or the Giants for trying to take care of him,” Dr. Neal ElAttrache said by phone from Los Angeles, where he is based.

“I know that I’m going to get criticized for taking care of these kinds of guys, but it’s essential to their livelihoods,” ElAttrache said. “If you have somebody’s career at stake and they lose two seasons instead of one, I would say that is not a non-essential or unimportant elective procedure.”

As our British friends would put it, Mandy Rice-Davies applies.

Mets’ Noah Syndergaard to have Tommy John surgery for torn UCL

New York Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow and will undergo Tommy John surgery this week, the team announced Tuesday.

Dr. David Altchek will perform the surgery Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgery, according to the Mets.

“After experiencing discomfort in his elbow before spring training was suspended due to the pandemic, Noah and our health and performance department have been in constant contact,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. “Based on the persistence of his symptoms, Noah underwent a physical examination and MRI that revealed the ligament tear. A second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache confirmed the diagnosis and the recommendation for surgery.

“Noah is an incredibly hard worker and a tremendous talent. While this is unfortunate, we have no doubt that Noah will be able to return to full strength and continue to be an integral part of our championship pursuits in the future.”

Padres reliever Munoz, prospect Lawson have elbow surgery

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Hard-throwing Padres reliever Andres Munoz and minor leaguer Reggie Lawson underwent Tommy John surgery Friday.

Both right-handers were injured shortly before spring training was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Munoz, 21, made his big league debut last year and appeared in 22 games. He went 1-1 with a 3.91 ERA and 30 strikeouts, against 11 walks. He would have been a key member of the Padres’ beefed-up bullpen this season, if and when it resumes.

The 22-year-old Lawson was 3-1 with a 5.20 ERA in six starts with Double-A Amarillo last season before being shut down with an elbow injury. He returned for the Arizona Fall League, going 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in three appearances, including two starts.

Giants pitcher Tyler Beede to undergo Tommy John surgery Friday

There is no timetable for Major League Baseball to resume this season, but most around the game are expecting to miss at least a couple of months’ worth of games.

Tyler Beede will be out considerably longer.

The Giants right-hander will have Tommy John surgery Friday, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi announced.

Beede had an MRI on March 3 after feeling tightness in his right elbow, and immediately was shut down with an elbow sprain and flexor strain. He has spent part of the last couple of weeks getting additional opinions, and it was clear that surgery was the best option.

Royals’ Pérez catches for 1st time since Tommy John surgery.

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Salvador Pérez was back behind the plate for the first time since Tommy John surgery.

The six-time All-Star caught the first four innings of the Kansas City Royals’ 3-1 loss to a San Francisco split squad on Friday.

“I was super-excited to be back behind the home plate,” Pérez said. “I feel great. I feel good. I wasn’t nervous.”

A five-time Gold Glove winner, the 29-year-old had not caught in a game since Sept. 26, 2018.

Fulmer making progress in return from Tommy John surgery

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — At this time last year, Michael Fulmer was hoping for a healthier 2019. Instead, his injury woes went from bad to worse.

Fulmer needed Tommy John surgery and did not pitch at all last season, another setback for the right-hander who won AL Rookie of the Year honors for Detroit in 2016 but now faces an uncertain future for the Tigers. Still just 26 years old, Fulmer can give the team a lift if he comes back healthy, but that’s still a work in progress.

“I feel better than I thought I would at this point, playing catch out to 120 feet,” Fulmer said this week. “Next progression is getting on the mound. Very anxious for that moment, but we’ve got to wait until it gets here.”

Fulmer said he was hopeful he could throw on the mound around the end of March, perhaps before the team heads north.

‘There are better things to come:’ Canada’s Taillon upbeat during Tommy John rehab

Jameson Taillon has plenty of experience when it comes to rehabbing from injuries.

The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander has had two Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgeries during his professional career. He’s also undergone surgeries to repair a sport hernia and remove cancerous tissue from his scrotum.

“I guess rehab is in my blood now,” Taillon said.

Yet Taillon continues to be upbeat while the midst of his latest rehab. He underwent his latest Tommy John procedure in August that will cause him to miss the 2020 season.

A few words on someone ready to spend this year on the sidelines.

Adam Warren to rehab from Tommy John with New York Yankees

NEW YORK (AP) — Adam Warren will rehab from Tommy John surgery with the New York Yankees.

Warren agreed Monday to a minor league contract with his former team but is not expected to pitch next year while he recovers from surgery that took place in September.

A 32-year-old right-hander, Warren debuted with the Yankees in 2012, was traded to the Chicago Cubs in December 2015, reacquired by New York in July 2016 and dealt to Seattle in July 2018. He signed a one-year contract with San Diego as a free agent ahead of the 2019 season and was 4-1 with a 5.34 ERA in 25 relief appearances through June 7, then was placed on the injured list the following day with a strained right forearm.

A question, for the contract mavens among us:

How do we interpret this contract?

Ex-Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright to undergo Tommy John surgery

Steven Wright’s Red Sox career came to an end on Friday, and it’ll be a while before the knuckleballer makes his return to the mound.

Shortly after being released by Boston, Wright revealed to WEEI’s Rob Bradford he will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday to repair the torn UCL in his right elbow.

“I’m fully committed to rehab and making a comeback,” Wright told Bradford. “I feel better than I have ever and want to get back to a position I haven’t been in since 2016, which is healthy. My sole focus is to get healthy and stay focused.”

Rumors that he injured his arm trying to hold a revolving door open cannot be confirmed at the present time….