Shoulder injuries

by justin0070000 on Sep 11, 2007 7:32 PM EDT Comment 5 comments

Last new Diary of the day I promise....

It seems that now that Tommy John Surgery isn't that big of a deal. Most young pitchers can return to the level they were playing at before they were injured, about 18 months after surgery. It screws up parts of 2 or 3 seasons, but it isn't a death sentince. Jose Rijo is one of the only pitchers I can think of who was South of 35, and did not come back from Tommy John. PItchers who have Tommy John and don't return to their previous level, are usually older, or hurt their shoulders trying to compensate for their bum elbow, or in their rehab, because they failed to consider that their shoulder weakened while they were on the shelf.

Shoulder injuries on the other hand.... Rotarcuff, Labrum, or capsule surgery is almost a death sentence. Paul Wilson, Jason Isringhousen, Jeff Brantley, Ty Howington, Kerry Wood, Doc Gooden, Jason Gruller, etc etc etc. All of these pitchers either lost their career, or could not return to their previous level of sucess. Isringhousen is the most sucessful, allthough he was forced to go to the bullpen. Paul Wilson seems to be typical. He was able to come back, and be average, but his 97 MPH fastball turned into 87. He was a bottom of the rotation guy.

I think Livingston might be done, because most pitchers lose velocity with severe shoulder surgery, and he can not afford to lose any more velocity. I live in fear that Harang, Bailey, Cueto, or Arroyo will have shouler problems.

By the way, thinking of shoulder problems, what is the latest on Claussen. Rotoworld has nothing on him passed June or July, he was pulled of his rehab, but it doesn't say why.

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shoulders

It used to be that a torn labrum or rotator cuff was a certain career-ender for a pitcher. Not so much anymore. Grant Balfour, for example, has come back from both, plus Tommy John, all at once. Took him 3 seasons, but he has come back, and he's throwing 98-99mph. Doing much better in Tampa Bay than he did in MIL.

Most of the examples were from back a ways, and there have been plenty of successful comebacks in more recent years. I don't see any reason why 25-year-old Livingston won't be able return and be as effective as ever.

by DevilsAdvocate on Sep 12, 2007 11:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Effective?

Sure he was better than Dumatrait...but I don't think he would have ever been more than a 5th starter/long relief type of pitcher.

by WayneNarron on Sep 13, 2007 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

in a vacuum

Not saying he'll be better than he was - only as effective as ever. I'll circle the square and link back to JinAZ, who points out that Livingston was unspectacular but reasonably effective for a back of the rotation guy. That's about all I'd expect from a guy with his repertoire.

by DevilsAdvocate on Sep 14, 2007 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not as optimistic

As that NY Times article pointed out only a few weeks ago, shoulder surgery is far riskier than Tommy John surgery. And a labrum tear is among the worst. Worse than rotator cuff surgery.

I wish Livingston the best, but I'm not optimistic.

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