ATLANTA -- Chris Carpenter, the 2005 NL Cy Young winner, will miss the rest of the season and part of next year after he undergoes elbow ligament replacement surgery next week.
Carpenter hasn't pitched since allowing five runs in six innings of a season-opening loss to the New York Mets.
The right-hander, who went on the disabled list April 2, had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs in his elbow on May 9. He developed swelling and stiffness after a rehab start for Class A Palm Beach on July 8.
This should effectively end the Cardinals' season and maybe put the team into panic mode. Mulder's already damaged goods and there's a good chance that Tommy John surgery could throw Carpenter in that category, too. Best case scenario: Carpenter comes back by the All-Star break next year and has an Eric Gagne-level comeback. But the odds don't favor him.
The NL Central's down to the Cubbies and the Brew Crew now.
The Wisdom of Homsar: DaAaAa, these Easter pants are gettin' way too tight!
It's been a horrible season for Redbird fans this year, just too many injuries to overcome. But it happens from time to time. Mind you this won't keep them from playing spoilers, LaRussa is old school like that
Isn't the thing with Tommy John patients that while they may come back, it really takes close to a season of pitching before they generally recover to their previous level, if they pull it off at all?
Originally posted by TheOldManIsn't the thing with Tommy John patients that while they may come back, it really takes close to a season of pitching before they generally recover to their previous level, if they pull it off at all?
Most starting pitchers don't come back with their same stuff. I can rarely think of an example of a STARTER making a seamless comeback after getting Tommy John surgery.
If you're looking for an example of ANY pitcher coming back from Tommy John surgery with a degree of success, look over at Texas. Eric Gagne's been phenomenal and is a prime candidate for Comeback Player of the Year.
The Wisdom of Homsar: AaAaAaAaAaAaA! Caramel corn for president, please!
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Nothing will ever top this one. All of the articles there are boss. I found the place through their article on the top 24 moments on 24, which had me literally in stitches.
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