Chad Billingsley out for 2013 season, slated to have Tommy John surgery

Apr 232013
 

It’s official, Chad Billingsley will undergo Tommy John surgery tomorrow. Dr. Neal ElAttrache will be performing the surgery at Kerlan-Jobe in Los Angeles. Honestly, I’m pissed. How does this situation even happen? The coaches and even Billingsley himself took no responsibility. I’m sure you remember when Billingsley was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow last year. He opted to try to rehab the injury with plasma injections rather than having surgery, which will now cost him the entire 2013 season. Billingsley will probably have to miss the first couple months of 2014 as well.

Here comes the I told you so…back on February 1st I wrote “Today, Ken Gurnick provided an update on Billingsley, who is reportedly feeling “absolutely great.” Everything has progressed as planned with no setbacks. Updating yesterday’s post, it’s quite possible that Billingsley makes an appearance during Spring Training. My expectations will not be very high for Billingsley in 2013. I don’t see how you can fully recover from a partially torn elbow ligament without having Tommy John surgery. I fully expect Billingsley to start out well but miss some time, perhaps even having to shut it down and have surgery at some point.”

Billingsley, I am sure, is feeling like an idiot right now, and he should, because he is.

Billingsley opened this season on the disabled list, but it was for a bruised right index finger he sustained while bunting in Spring Training. He will finish the 2013 season with 1-0 record with a 3.00 ERA in 12 innings over two starts.

Billingsley is scheduled to earn $12MM next year, then there is a $14 million club option for 2015 or a $3 million buyout. Top all that off with the fact Billingsley now has zero trade value, and will until he proves he is healthy. The Dodgers would be wise to move on and now count on him moving forward.

Stephen Fife started Sunday in place of Billingsley against the Orioles and allowed three runs in the first inning, however, he bounced back and made it through 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk. He will likely get the next couple of starts until Chris Capuano comes off of the DL with his strained calf issue. Of course, Zack Greinke remains out indefinitely with his broken collarbone, and won’t see him until the middle of June at the earliest.

I wouldn’t mind seeing what Zach Lee or Chris Reed can do at this point.

 04/23/2013  Posted by at 7:33 pm Dodgers Injury Reports, Dodgers News 5 Responses »

Greinke Breaks Collar Bone In Win Over Padres

Apr 112013
 

That is no typo. Greinke out with no timetable.

Pitching in just his second game as a Dodger, Co-Ace Zach Greinke suffered a collar bone fracture during a scuffle with Hit By Pitch King, Carlos Quentin. Quentin, who has lead the majors for two seasons was plunked during a 3-2 count in the 5th and charged the mound. In a surprise to catcher A.J. Ellis, who was steps behind Quentin, did his best to scramble and eventually tackle Quentin.

The replay shows Greinke turn his left side towards the charge, not to take damage to his pitching arm. As benches cleared, the jawing and scuffle continued, eventually leading to the tossing of both Matt Kemp and Jerry Hairston Jr.. The blow comes off the heals of an injury free pitching staff, where Chad Billingsley returned to earn his first win of the season.gqdodgers

After the game, Don Mattingly was furious to put it nicely. “He [Quentin] shouldn’t be allowed to play another game until Greinke can… If he does.. well then that is just stupid.” The normally calm and precise skipper lashed out at all questions regarding the “why” this all happened. A brave reporter asked him “you seem upset by all this, how upset are you?”

“I’m happy.”

Yikes.

Obviously there will be some suspensions here, but a fair point for Don to make. In a 2-1 game, full count, why would Greinke throw at Quentin? Why would Quentin think it was intentional? Has he considered backing up from the plate a little bit?

Quentin who has 30 pounds on Greinke, attacks, gets suspended maybe for 2-3 games and is back in commission. Greinke gets the brunt of it and could potentially out 4-6 weeks. Doesn’t seem fair. Don isn’t pleased. Management can’t be thrilled with their pricey investment getting injured. Chris Capuano’s stock is rising.

 04/11/2013  Posted by at 11:34 pm Dodgers Injury Reports, Dodgers News 1 Response »

Zack Greinke questionable for Dodgers opener

Mar 112013
 

Zack Greinke was scratched from Monday’s scheduled start and was flown to Los Angeles to have his right elbow examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Greinke first reported soreness in his elbow last week but was able to throw his bullpen session on Friday with no issues. Sunday the soreness returned after he threw another session and that caused him to fly to Los Angeles on an extremely cautious basis. Makes sense the Dodgers would want to protect their $147MM investment, right?

The good news is the MRI Greinke had on his right throwing elbow came back clean already. More good news came out of Los Angeles after Dr. Neal ElAttrache diagnosed Greinke with inflammation in the back of his right elbow, also confirming there was no structural damage.  Greinke was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in his elbow and some anti-inflammatory medication. The hope is he will be ready to resume throwing with the next few days. Greinke has already missed two spring starts, making him questionable for the start of the Dodgers season. The Dodgers currently have eight starting pitchers with guaranteed contracts, so I fully expect Don Mattingly and the Dodgers’ decision makers to err on the side of caution here.

 03/11/2013  Posted by at 4:03 pm Dodgers Injury Reports, Dodgers News No Responses »

Javy Guerra Exits World Baseball Classic

Mar 082013
 

Javy Guerra decided to play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. That was his intention any way. We heard last week Javy Guerra would be a late addition to Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic after Cleveland closer Chris Perez left the roster due to injury. It was made official yesterday afternoon when Guerra announced he had to drop out because of liability concerns involving his shoulder. Guerra said that he is still dealing with issues resulting from his offseason shoulder surgery.

Fine with me. I gotta admit that I’m glad Guerra is exercising on the side of caution here. Every year we see players hurt in the WBC, so not risking further injury won’t bother me one bit.

Though Guerra is out, the Dodgers still have Ronald Belisario, Hanley Ramirez, Felipe Burin, Angel Castro, Luis Cruz, Adrian Gonzalez, Nick Punto, Mario Santiago, and Andres Santiago representing their fellow countries in the World Baseball Classic.

 03/08/2013  Posted by at 5:30 pm Dodgers Injury Reports, Dodgers News No Responses »

Dodgers 2012 Offseason Injuries Update

Feb 012013
 

Ken Gurnick reports that Matt Kemp is ahead of schedule in his recovery from his October shoulder surgery, and that Kemp should be back in time for Spring Training. Gurnick also adds that he Kemp should be in the starting lineup on Opening Day. Kemp has reported that he is still feeling soreness in the shoulder he injured after his collision with the Coors field outfield wall.

“That’s my goal,” said Kemp. “I’m hitting off the tee, no soft toss yet. I have my good days and bad days. It’s still a little sore. But being ready for the season is all that matters.”

I still don’t get why the coaches and training staff didn’t shut him down after the injury. This is obviously the downside to players wanting to play through injuries they shouldn’t and coaches allowing them to do it. Isn’t that the purpose of the coaches and training staff? I get that the Dodgers were pushing hard for the playoffs, I thought that it was a bad idea at the time, after much time to reflect it wasn’t a bad idea, it was a really bad idea.

“I couldn’t shut it down,” Kemp said. “They told me to shut it down and think about surgery — or at least rest. But I just couldn’t do it. I had to continue and play. That’s what I do. I can’t sit and watch.”

Carl Crawford is progressing well after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August. Crawford has begun baseball activities and could be back as soon as the beginning of Spring Training. That’s well ahead of the May-July timetable that was originally reported. Whispers emerged towards the end of the season that there was a small chance he could be ready by Opening Day, and it looks like that isn’t as much of a longshot at this point.

Scott Elbert underwent a second elbow surgery on January 23rd. Elbert will be able to resume throwing in six weeks. His availability for Opening Day is not looking probable. This opens up the door for J.P. Howell, Paco Rodriguez, and Ted Lilly, to get ahead of Elbert on the depth chart, if they weren’t ahead of him already.

Speaking of Ted Lilly, who is progressing very well from his left shoulder surgery back in September. Lilly has been throwing for several weeks as of Dec. 5, and he is expected to be fully ready by Spring Training.

In other pitching injury updates; Clayton Kershaw is in a full running program for his right hip soreness. He is expected to be fully ready near the beginning of Spring Training. Chad Billingsley is still recovering from his partially torn right elbow ligament injury. We heard some positive things in November after he hit 94mph on the radar gun.

Today, Ken Gurnick provided an update on Billingsley, who is reportedly feeling “absolutely great.” Everything has progressed as planned with no setbacks. Updating yesterday’s post, it’s quite possible that Billingsley makes an appearance during Spring Training. My expectations will not be very high for Billingsley in 2013. I don’t see how you can fully recover from a partially torn elbow ligament without having Tommy John surgery. I fully expect Billingsley to start out well but miss some time, perhaps even having to shut it down and have surgery at some point. Time will tell, but hopefully the plasma injection works, and the Dodgers can capitalize on their pitching depth.

Javy Guerra, Kenley Jansen, and Matt Guerrier are all progressing from in their rehab and should all be ready for Spring Training.

 02/01/2013  Posted by at 3:05 pm Dodgers Injury Reports, Dodgers News No Responses »
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