Modesto’s Matthes to undergo surgery Monday
High Class A Modesto right fielder Kent Matthes will undergo surgery Monday to repair the broken bone in his left hand, a season-ending injury he suffered Wednesday when he was hit by a pitch.
Dr. Jennifer Kummer, a hand specialist with the Steadman Hawkins Clinic, will perform the operation. The broken fourth metacarpal ended a brilliant season for Matthes, whom the Colorado Rockies drafted in the fourth round in 2009 out of Alabama.
Additionally, the injury took away his chance to play in the Arizona Fall League. While it generally takes six weeks for a broken bone to heal, Matthes will have to do range of motion and strengthening exercises, and the Rockies won’t want to rush Matthes into the fall league after a long layoff.
Matthes, 24, rebounded from a lost 2010 season _ 21 games and 81 at-bats at low Class A Asheville _ when he underwent surgery in June to repair a torn left patellar tendon.
In 93 games this season at Modesto, Matthes hit .334/.378/.642 with 39 doubles, 23 home runs and 95 RBI. He finished with 22 walks and 80 strikeouts in 371 at-bats, 50 more than he had in his first two professional seasons.
Let’s hope for a fast a complete recovery. I’m sure Tulsa and maybe Co Springs may be in his future next year.
Wow this guy will lose a bunch of MILB at bats to injury just when he was making a run at prospect status. This injury hurts big time, as I was hoping the Rockies would start pushing Matthes along a little bit faster.