SB Nation Detroit - Joel Zumaya Undergoes Arthroscopic Surgery To Clean Out Right Elbowhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2011-05-12T16:42:56-04:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13064732011-05-12T16:42:56-04:002011-05-12T16:42:56-04:00Zumaya Undergoes Surgery On Right Elbow; Cause Of Pain Still Undetermined
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<p>The mystery of <span>Joel Zumaya</span>’s right elbow continues.</p>
<p>Zumaya and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> went to Dr. James Andrews’ clinic in Pensacola, Fla. hoping to get some answers as to why his elbow continues to cause him pain. But after <a href="http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110511&content_id=18928952&notebook_id=18929598&vkey=notebook_det&c_id=det">undergoing arthroscopic surgery</a> on the elbow, they still don’t know exactly what’s causing the problem.</p>
<p>But the issue may have been taken care of with what Andrews did during the surgical procedure. Zumaya’s elbow joint was cleaned out and <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/7/5/1553596/joel-zumaya-shoulder-surgery">a screw that was inserted</a> after he originally fractured the elbow last June was replaced. It’s possible that the screw was what caused the pain, so it’s hoped that a new screw will alleviate the problem.</p>
<p>The timetable for Zumaya now is to rest and rehab his elbow for six weeks. After that, he’ll visit Dr. Andrews again for a re-evaluation. If all goes well (which is a major qualifier any time Zumaya’s health is the subject of a story), Zumaya could resume throwing by late June.</p>
<p>Would that mean that Zumaya could actually pitch for the Tigers again this season? Tigers head trainer Kevin Rand <a href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2011/05/nothing_definitive_revealed_in.html">wouldn’t rule that out</a>, but who’s to say what’s actually possible for Zumaya at this point?</p>
<p>Maybe he could do what MLive.com’s Matt Sussman <a href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2011/05/detroit_tigers_links_miguel_ca_3.html">suggested</a> and try the same <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/sports/baseball/disputed-treatment-was-used-in-bartolo-colons-comeback.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss">stem cell treatment</a> that apparently rejuvenated <span>Bartolo Colon</span>’s this season. (<span class="caps">MLB</span> is <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Bartolo-Colon-8217-s-stem-cell-treatment-opens-?urn=mlb-wp6130">looking into the procedure</a> to see if it’s on the up-and-up, however, so Zumaya might want to wait on that.)</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/5/12/2168076/zumaya-undergoes-surgery-on-right-elbow-cause-of-pain-stillIan Casselberry2011-05-06T13:21:36-04:002011-05-06T13:21:36-04:00Have Tigers Already Decided To Cut Ties With Joel Zumaya?
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<p>Had the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> already decided that this would be <span>Joel Zumaya</span>’s last year with the team, regardless of what happened with either his rehab program or exploratory diagnostic surgery for his sore right elbow?</p>
<p>Perhaps it’s a moot point now, given that Zumaya <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/5/4/2153870/tigers-joel-zumaya-to-have-exploratory-surgery-season-likely-over">opted for surgery on Wednesday</a>, effectively ending his 2011 season and possibly ending his Tigers career. Zumaya can be a free agent after the season, and there might be a team out there willing to take a chance on a pitcher who can — when healthy — throw 100 mph. But it appears that won’t be the Tigers.</p>
<p>SI.com’s Jon Heyman included this note <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_heyman/05/04/albert.pujols/index.html?eref=writers">in his Wednesday column</a> before Zumaya announced he’d have surgery on his elbow:</p>
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<p>• There is still no timetable on Joel Zumaya (shoulder), who really isn’t even on the Tigers’ radar at the moment. Whether or not he makes it back to the mound, the Tigers have decided this will be his last year in Detroit.</p>
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<p>Maybe Heyman had already received word of Zumaya’s decision when he included this note in his column. But it kind of got lost when news of the surgery was released. It’s also interesting that none of the local reporters who covered the Tigers mentioned this in their stories. Is this a development that just wasn’t reported locally or did Heyman have a scoop?</p>
<p>Of course, the question is whether or not this is a big deal. How could the Tigers not have written Zumaya off in their future plans by now? The offseason signing of <span>Joaquin Benoit</span> was a pretty big indication of that, not to mention the drafting and acquisition of several middle relievers over the past few years.</p>
<p>The possibility of Zumaya being healthy again and added to the bullpen was an always tantalizing prospect. 2006 was such a special season in Detroit, and Zumaya was a big part of that. He pitched in 62 games, compiled a 1.94 <span class="caps">ERA</span>, and struck out 97 batters in 83 1/3 innings. Closer of the future seemed a certainty. And fans throughout baseball are always captivated by a flame-throwing pitcher racking up triple-digit readings on the radar gun.</p>
<p>Alas, it hasn’t worked out that way, as we all know too well. Zumaya’s body just didn’t let him build on that breakout debut, as injuries cut short each of his last four seasons. And this year was a non-starter. Zumaya’s spring training was over almost as soon as it began. Each setback is yet another reminder that a human arm probably isn’t meant to throw a baseball that hard. And for some fans, the last image they may have of Zumaya is him on his knees at Target Field last June, <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/6/28/1542432/joel-zumaya-injury/origin">holding his elbow in excruciating pain</a>.</p>
<p>But even if this is it for Zumaya in Detroit, it was a hell of a run. The flame tattoos, the “Voodoo Child” entrance music, the hijinks in the bullpen. All of it added to his persona. The man was a rock star. Despite the disappointments and the heartbreak of seeing him break down year after year, very few players have been as fun to watch in recent memory.</p>
<p>(Hat tip to <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/05/heyman-on-pujols-reyes-feliz.html"><span class="caps">MLB</span> Trade Rumors</a>)</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/5/6/2157492/have-tigers-already-decided-to-cut-ties-with-joel-zumayaIan Casselberry2011-05-04T16:01:43-04:002011-05-04T16:01:43-04:00Tigers' Joel Zumaya To Have Exploratory Surgery; Season Likely Over
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<p>Two weeks after <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/4/20/2123864/hoping-to-salvage-season-tigers-joel-zumaya-opts-for-rehab-over">choosing a rehab program</a> for his sore right elbow over diagnostic arthroscopic surgery, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> reliever <span>Joel Zumaya</span> has now decided to undergo an exploratory procedure.</p>
<p>The surgery is scheduled for May 10, according to the <a href="http://detnews.com/article/20110504/SPORTS0104/105040404/1129/rss15">Detroit News</a>. And while an exact timetable won’t be laid out until after the procedure when doctors presumably diagnose exactly what’s wrong with Zumaya’s elbow, it’s difficult to imagine any schedule that will allow for him to pitch this season.</p>
<p>Tigers trainer Kevin Rand said as much two weeks ago, when the team <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0504-dodgers-mlb-payroll-20110504,0,6806500.story">announced the original decision</a> to try a rehab and strengthening program.</p>
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<p>“The timetable if they had done a surgical procedure,” said trainer Kevin Rand, “was not favorable for him to pitch in 2011, so he’ll undergo six more weeks of rehabilitation to give him a chance of pitching later on this summer.”</p>
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<p>It has yet to be revealed why Zumaya and the Tigers decided to go with surgery after rehabbing for only two weeks. But it stands to reason that Zumaya wasn’t progressing as hoped and that the pain in the right elbow is perhaps getting worse.</p>
<p>Zumaya reported to spring training appearing healthy and optimistic about his chances of contributing this season. But after appearing in only one exhibition game on Feb. 27, he developed soreness and radiating pain in the elbow and forearm that never went away.</p>
<p>Not only does this likely end Zumaya’s season, but his career with the Tigers could be reaching its end, as well. He’ll be a free agent after the season, and both sides might decide to move on.</p>
<p>That’s presuming that Zumaya even wants to continue his baseball career. During the winter, he said if he got hurt again, he’d <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2010/12/4/1855519/tigers-joel-zumaya-says-hell-find-another-job-if-he-gets-hurt-again">“find another job.”</a> Of course, several baseball teams — including the Tigers — will probably be willing to take another chance on a former phenom who routinely hit 100 mph on the radar gun.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/5/4/2153870/tigers-joel-zumaya-to-have-exploratory-surgery-season-likely-overIan Casselberry2011-04-20T21:26:12-04:002011-04-20T21:26:12-04:00Hoping To Salvage Season, Tigers' Joel Zumaya Opts For Rehab Over Surgery
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<p>After the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> put him on the 60-day disabled list Monday, <span>Joel Zumaya</span> was faced with two choices: Start a six-week rehab program to strengthen his aching right elbow or undergo diagnostic arthroscopic surgery that would hopefully determine what exactly is causing him pain.</p>
<p>With his 2011 season possibly on the line, Zumaya opted for the rehab program.</p>
<p><a href="http://detnews.com/article/20110420/SPORTS0104/104200432/1129/rss15">From the Detroit News:</a></p>
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<p>“The timetable if they had done a surgical procedure,” said trainer Kevin Rand, “was not favorable for him to pitch in 2011, so he’ll undergo six more weeks of rehabilitation to give him a chance of pitching later on this summer.”</p>
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<p>Zumaya will not throw during the six weeks of the rehab program, concentrating instead on strengthening exercises. If all goes well from there, Zumaya will begin throwing again. And as is often the case with Zumaya in recent seasons, everyone involved will cross their fingers that those throws are pain-free. (Zumaya probably shouldn’t cross his fingers, though. He suffered a finger injury once.) This timeline would probably put him on track for a July return.</p>
<p>But if the pain still persists after six weeks of rehab, Zumaya will undergo surgery. That will almost certainly end his season, and quite possibly, his baseball career.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/4/20/2123864/hoping-to-salvage-season-tigers-joel-zumaya-opts-for-rehab-overIan Casselberry2011-04-18T22:28:24-04:002011-04-18T22:28:24-04:00Joel Zumaya Moved to 60-Day DL; Diagnostic Arthroscopy Could Be Next
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<p>Doctors still can’t determine what exactly is wrong with <span>Joel Zumaya</span>’s injured elbow. A visit to Dr. James Andrews on Monday <a href="http://beck.mlblogs.com/2011/04/18/no-nerve-damage-for-zumaya-but-still-no-diagnosis/">ruled out nerve damage</a>, which is good news. Yet there’s still no explanation for the pain Zumaya is feeling in his elbow and forearm.</p>
<p>What the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> do know is that Zumaya isn’t going to pitch any time soon. So the team <a href="http://beck.mlblogs.com/2011/04/18/zumaya-moved-to-60-day-disabled-list/">transferred him to the 60-day disabled list</a> on Monday, even before the visit to Dr. Andrews. That allows Detroit to open up a spot on its 40-man roster, which gives them a bit more freedom in deciding which player could be added.</p>
<p>But what’s next for Zumaya? The man still doesn’t know why his elbow is hurting. According to reports, doctors and training staff (along with Zumaya and his agent) <a href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2011/04/detroit_tigers_reliever_joel_z_3.html">are considering two options</a>: 1) Going back to a strengthening and rehab program for six weeks before throwing again, or 2) undergoing diagnostic arthroscopic surgery. Rehab would take about six weeks, while recovering from an arthroscopy would take a bit longer.</p>
<p>Either way, it would be well into May before Zumaya could expect to return. A 60-day DL stint keeps him out until the end of May, anyway.</p>
<p>However, this latest development further calls into question whether or not Zumaya will pitch again this season. Or ever again, for that matter. Determining the exact problem with the elbow and how serious an injury it is goes a long way toward that, obviously.</p>
<p>But Zumaya has said he’ll<a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2010/12/4/1855519/tigers-joel-zumaya-says-hell-find-another-job-if-he-gets-hurt-again"> “find another job”</a> if he gets hurt again. There’s no reason not to see what happens during the rest of this season, but if Zumaya continues to encounter setbacks, he could very well decide he’s had enough.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/4/18/2119358/joel-zumaya-moved-to-60-day-dl-diagnostic-arthroscopy-could-be-nextIan Casselberry2011-04-13T14:46:57-04:002011-04-13T14:46:57-04:00Joel Zumaya To Undergo Nerve Tests, Visit Dr. James Andrews Again
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<p>The wait for <span>Joel Zumaya</span> to provide some needed seventh-inning help for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a>' bullpen might take even longer. Zumaya is scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla. on Monday, hoping to find out why <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110412&content_id=17680566&notebook_id=17680570&vkey=notebook_det&c_id=det&partnerId=rss_det">he continues to feel pain in his right elbow</a> and forearm.</p>
<p>Among the tests that Zumaya will undergo while visiting the noted orthopedic surgeon is an electromyogram that will check for nerve problems. The Tigers reliever will also have a MRI exam and CT scan during his visit. Zumaya was examined by Andrews in early March when he felt pain after scar tissue broke apart in his right elbow.</p>
<p>Following recommendations <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/3/9/2039900/joel-zumaya-wont-throw-for-two-weeks">not to throw for three weeks</a>, Zumaya had been shut down by the Tigers until last week. But he experienced discomfort at the very end of his throwing session, according to team trainer Kevin Rand. Zumaya was pain-free during his first 24 throws, but felt something on his 25th pitch. To be specific, Zumaya said he felt pain radiating down his forearm. That led the medical staff to think that Zumaya might have some nerve damage in his arm.</p>
<p>Zumaya originally <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/7/5/1553596/joel-zumaya-shoulder-surgery">had surgery last July</a> to insert a screw in his elbow after <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/2010/6/29/1543528/joel-zumaya-injury-elbow-out-for-season">suffering a fracture</a> while pitching against the Twins on June 28. His recovery and rehabilitation had been progressing smoothly, leading into spring training. But ever since scar tissue broke in the elbow early in the spring, Zumaya hasn't been able to throw.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/4/13/2108961/joel-zumaya-injury-updateIan Casselberry2011-03-09T12:08:57-05:002011-03-09T12:08:57-05:00Joel Zumaya Won't Throw For Two Weeks
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<p>On Tuesday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> announced that <span>Joel Zumaya</span> wouldn’t throw for <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/3/8/2037449/doctors-say-joel-zumayas-elbow-is-okay">at least a week</a> following a consultation with Dr. James Andrews on his sore right elbow.</p>
<p>Soon thereafter, however, Zumaya told reporters that the timetable for his recovery would take longer. He won’t be throwing a baseball for two weeks, during which he’ll work on a strengthening program. After that, the elbow will be examined again and a further course of action will be recommended.</p>
<p>But when doctors don’t seem to know exactly what the problem is, it’s a bit troubling.</p>
<p><a href="http://beck.mlblogs.com/archives/2011/03/zumaya_relieved_also_a_little.html">From Jason Beck:</a></p>
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<p>“We’re still trying to trigger what’s causing it,” Zumaya said this morning. “Initially, they thought it was scar tissue.”</p>
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<p>According to Beck, part of the problem is that swelling in the elbow is preventing a clearer diagnosis. That has to go down first before a proper diagnosis can be made and subsequent treatment prescribed.</p>
<p>But at the very least, Zumaya very likely won’t be ready for Opening Day. Zumaya himself has pretty much ruled himself out, making it all but official.</p>
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<p>“I don’t really know, man,” he said. “It’s already seeming to me like I’m not going to be there.”</p>
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<p>So this could just be a temporary setback in Zumaya’s recovery, perhaps some soreness that was bound to develop once he started throwing a baseball at full speed again. But with Zumaya’s injury history, nothing should really be considered less than serious.</p>
<p>If there’s a bright side to any of this (besides the fact that no structural damage was found in Zumaya’s elbow), it might be that this is happening during spring training, rather than during the season. The Tigers now know that Zumaya won’t be ready for Opening Day and can plan their roster accordingly. And Zumaya can take all the time he needs to get fully healthy and hopefully prepare himself to pitch the rest of the season.</p>
<p>Of course, that’s a best case scenario, and there haven’t been many of those where Zumaya is concerned.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/3/9/2039900/joel-zumaya-wont-throw-for-two-weeksIan Casselberry2011-03-08T09:43:14-05:002011-03-08T09:43:14-05:00Doctors Say Joel Zumaya's Elbow Is Okay
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> have gotten through their first scare of spring training. Yesterday, reports had the Tigers worried about reliever <span>Joel Zumaya</span>’s right elbow, which was still causing him pain after <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110302&content_id=16790140&vkey=news_det&c_id=det">scar tissue had broken apart</a> in that area.</p>
<p>Originally, it was believed that Zumaya would be fine after the inflammation went down in a couple of days. But continued pain led the Tigers’ training staff to <a href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2011/03/detroit_tigers_reliever_joel_z.html">examine the elbow further</a>, and eventually Zumaya was sent to Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham.</p>
<p>The Tigers initially wouldn’t say whether or not Zumaya was being examined by Andrews. But the team confirmed that Zumaya had indeed been to Birmingham after the physician <a href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2011/03/dr_james_andrews_finds_no_stru.html">found no structural damage</a> in Zumaya’s elbow.</p>
<p>Andrews recommended that Zumaya not throw for at least one more week and stick to physical therapy and strengthening exercises in the meantime. So while it’s good news that no damage was found in the elbow, it still should be of some concern that Zumaya is still unable to throw. As <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Tom_Gage/status/45126206294736896">Tom Gage</a> pointed out, the words “at least” are worth raising an eyebrow over. It could be longer before Zumaya picks up a baseball.</p>
<p>These latest developments are yet another reminder that the Tigers can’t depend on Zumaya to stay healthy through a full season and need other relievers to pitch well and make the team. <span>Robbie Weinhardt</span>, your bullpen spot is waiting.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/3/8/2037449/doctors-say-joel-zumayas-elbow-is-okayIan Casselberry