The Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann left the game due to the elbow discomfort on Friday of April 26th , 2019. An MRI was reported as an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL ) sprain in his right, pitching elbow. As we often discuss on the sports injury blog (elbow problems in throwers), characterizing this as an injury or an acute sprain is inaccurate in throwers.   

Zimmermann has also had shoulder and neck pain during his time with the Tigers.  

According to team orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stephen Lemos, Zimmerman will not have elbow surgery.  

News reports convey that the team sees it as a hopeful sign that Zimmermann won’t have surgery, but that doesn’t mean that it will be easy to get back to throwing effectively. We’ll have to see how he adapts to these issues.