Buchholz To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Colorado Rockies reliever Taylor Buchholz said he will undergo Tommy John surgery either Wednesday or Friday. The ligament replacement procedure on his right elbow will sideline Buchholz about a year.
“I thought we were making progress, but it kind of hit that wall,” said Buchholz, 27, who was diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow after making his only exhibition game in spring training Feb. 26.
Buchholz tried to rehabilitate his elbow since then and got to the point of throwing simulated games. After the second one Wednesday in Milwaukee, he felt tightness in his elbow. Buchholz said his elbow was sore Thursday but he went ahead with a scheduled bullpen session Saturday, the thinking being that with rest, his elbow might respond.
Instead, he felt tightness on the third or fourth pitch and ceased throwing after 17 pitches. Had that bullpen session gone well, Buchholz would have gone out on a 30-day rehabilitation assignment, which would have started with high Class A Modesto.
That all became moot when Buchholz experienced tightness in his elbow on Saturday and was examined by Dr. Thomas Noonan, the Rockies medical director who will perform the surgery this week in Denver, and met with the Rockies medical staff.
“The medical people felt it was just a period of time before the ligament goes completely,” manager Jim Tracy said.
Had Buchholz undergone the operation when the injury was initially diagnosed, he would have been three months into his rehabilitation and looking at being able to possibly pitch at the start of the 2010 season. Now he could be looking at a return around the All-Star break next season.
“I was right on the borderline, should we do surgery or not?” Buchholz said. “If you can, you want to avoid it.”
Buchholz was a key factor in the Rockies bullpen last year, assuming the set-up role and going 6-6 with a 2.17 ERA in 63 games. He was hoping to rejoin the Rockies next month following a rehab assignment but now faces the harder grind of coming back from major surgery.
“It’s a long process,” Buchholz said, “but I’m in good hands.”
ugh, huge disappointment. I hope he makes a full recovery.
“I was right on the borderline, should we do surgery or not?” Buchholz said. “If you can, you want to avoid it.”
For sure no one wants surgery, but it seems these prolonged rehabs never work out. Wishing you a speedy and successful recovery Taylor.
Taylor seems to make the difference in 8 to 10 games a year, whether he got the win or save or not. This is bad news, coming just as the Rox are getting off the carpet. He’s not the kind of arm (or temperament) that is easily replaced. Taylor will be missed this year, particularly if the team builds on its current winning streak and makes some serious noise in the NL West.
Speedy recovery and good luck, Taylor B!
I agree Doc, rehab never seems to work. He could’ve had this done in spring training and possibly been ready for the start of 2010. Now he won’t be ready til this time next year. Francis the same way. Kelvim Escobar is another one that comes to mind right off hand that has chose rehab only to have it not work and then do surgery. Get it done right and then come back, but don’t waste time with rehab.