Category Archives: Baseball

All Blogs, Baseball, Elbow

A.J. Pollock Elbow Infection

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On Monday, April 29, Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder A.J. Pollock was placed on the 10-day injured list for an infected right elbow.

The infection occurred at the site of two previous surgeries for what sounds like a symptomatic open olecranon growth plate.  Growth plate issues can occur in people that throw a lot.

Pollock has been taking antibiotics, and on May 2 he underwent surgery to remove a metal screw that was inserted into the growth plate of his right elbow in his 2016 procedure. Removal of the screw is necessary to cure the infection as the screw is a foreign material in which bacteria can stay protected from the immune system and reactivate at any time. Pollock was released from the hospital on May 3rd without a timetable for his return to play, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expects him to be back this season.

All Blogs, Baseball, Elbow, pain, Shoulder, strain

Jordan Zimmermann UCL Strain

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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.

All Blogs, Ankle/Foot, Baseball

Blake Snell Fractured Toe

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On Sunday, April 14th, Tampa Bay Rays’ pitcher Blake Snell dropped a granite decorative stand on his right foot after taking a shower. It fractured his right fourth toe. He was placed on the 10 Day Injured List. Snell is only expected to miss one start according to team officials. His expected return date is April 24th.

A fracture is a break in a bone due to excessive force. Symptoms are similar to a sprain, including swelling, and bruising. With a fracture there is a possibility that the bone can heal with some deformity, although this is not usually a big issue for toes.

The small bones of the foot heal naturally. He can use a hard soled shoe to walk more comfortably. It is safe to pitch, but he may not be effective until it feels better, so it might be weeks before he returns.