X POSTED @ anaheim_angels
08/04/2006 10:32 PM ET
Pitcher has partially torn rotator cuff; no surgery is planned
By Mike Scarr / MLB.com
ANAHEIM -- Bartolo Colon's season has taken another detour and it's unlikely the reigning American League Cy Young winner will pitch again this year.
A contrast MRI has revealed a partial thickness tear of his right rotator cuff and Colon will begin aggressive therapy as recommended by team orthopedist Lewis Yocum. Surgery has not been scheduled and no timetable has been set for his recovery.
"I know these things take some time, but making a return with seven weeks to go in the season is doubtful," manager Mike Scioscia said. "It would be a tall order to make it back this season."
Colon is already on the 15-day disabled list with triceps tendinitis, a condition that flared during his last start when he was pulled after one inning at Tampa Bay. Colon also spent two months on the DL earlier this season with inflammation in his right shoulder. In 10 starts this season, Colon is 1-5 with a 5.11 ERA. His lone win was a four-hit shutout in Seattle on July 5.
The 33-year-old is signed through next season and if Colon does not pitch again this season, it would be the worst season for a defending Cy Young Award winner since Pete Vuckovich, who followed the 1982 award he won with the Brewers by going 0-2 in three starts in 1983.
"We examined what we are philosophically, what we are and what we want to be. That's a club that takes care of pitching No. 1," general manager Bill Stoneman said. "We've designed ourselves around pitching."
Colon's season never really got untracked and the pitcher has not been the same since being forced from the mound with a partial tear at the back of his shoulder in Game 5 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees last October.
After experiencing great pain, Colon left after throwing just three pitches in the second inning of that game and did not appear again in the postseason. Colon chose the rehab route over surgery this past offseason and embarked on an exercise and throwing regimen at home in the Dominican Republic that was overseen by occasional visits from the Angels training staff.
Colon reported to Spring Training in February reportedly healthy but did not appear in any Cactus League games before departing for training camp in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
In three starts for the Dominican national team, Colon went 1-0 with an 0.64 ERA and tossed six scoreless innings in the semifinal game against Cuba while allowing six hits and striking out four batters. Colon was removed after developing a blister.
Colon made one start this spring for the Angels and then took the mound Opening Day in Seattle, where he drew a no-decision. He lost his next two starts and began his first stint on the DL on April 16.
He was unavailable to comment Friday, but throughout spring and during Colon's times on the active roster this season, he never expressed full confidence that he has been healthy.
"It is tough news and we know what Bart has meant to our club and to our rotation," Scioscia said. "It has been a long time coming with the way Bart has pitched. But as the season has gone on, you're waiting for Bart to pitch the way he can and give us a boost. This is a piece of our rotation and we're going to miss him. We're going to have to adjust and keep moving forward."
Colon's replacement is already in the rotation. Left-hander Joe Saunders took Colon's turn Tuesday against the A's and picked up his second Major League win. Saunders is 2-0 in two starts this season and will face the Rangers in the series finale here Sunday.
"It is unfortunate for them. They have lot of good pitchers; it its one of their strengths," Rangers manager Buck Showalter said. "They will have somebody step up for them. One of their strengths is their farm system."
Saunders said it was a blow to the team but added that he'll be ready.
"I'm going to go out there and keep the same work ethic I've had the whole year," Saunders said. "I need to be hitting spots, keep the ball down and let my defense work."
Saunders is one of three rookie pitchers this season to start for the Angels and the trio has gone 10-0, led by Jered Weaver, who is 7-0. Right-hander Dustin Moseley earned his first Major League victory July 17.
"We're in a unique position in that we have a Joe Saunders. There are not many organizations that can go down and yank up a Saunders." Stoneman said. "You don't automatically turn down an offer to get a good pitcher. You know that not very many offers come up very often to get good pitching. We know that because of the volume of calls from teams at the deadline that wanted our starting pitching."
Colon went 21-8 last season to win his first Cy Young Award and first by an Angels pitcher since Dean Chance in 1964.
Pitcher has partially torn rotator cuff; no surgery is planned
By Mike Scarr / MLB.com
ANAHEIM -- Bartolo Colon's season has taken another detour and it's unlikely the reigning American League Cy Young winner will pitch again this year.
A contrast MRI has revealed a partial thickness tear of his right rotator cuff and Colon will begin aggressive therapy as recommended by team orthopedist Lewis Yocum. Surgery has not been scheduled and no timetable has been set for his recovery.
"I know these things take some time, but making a return with seven weeks to go in the season is doubtful," manager Mike Scioscia said. "It would be a tall order to make it back this season."
Colon is already on the 15-day disabled list with triceps tendinitis, a condition that flared during his last start when he was pulled after one inning at Tampa Bay. Colon also spent two months on the DL earlier this season with inflammation in his right shoulder. In 10 starts this season, Colon is 1-5 with a 5.11 ERA. His lone win was a four-hit shutout in Seattle on July 5.
The 33-year-old is signed through next season and if Colon does not pitch again this season, it would be the worst season for a defending Cy Young Award winner since Pete Vuckovich, who followed the 1982 award he won with the Brewers by going 0-2 in three starts in 1983.
"We examined what we are philosophically, what we are and what we want to be. That's a club that takes care of pitching No. 1," general manager Bill Stoneman said. "We've designed ourselves around pitching."
Colon's season never really got untracked and the pitcher has not been the same since being forced from the mound with a partial tear at the back of his shoulder in Game 5 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees last October.
After experiencing great pain, Colon left after throwing just three pitches in the second inning of that game and did not appear again in the postseason. Colon chose the rehab route over surgery this past offseason and embarked on an exercise and throwing regimen at home in the Dominican Republic that was overseen by occasional visits from the Angels training staff.
Colon reported to Spring Training in February reportedly healthy but did not appear in any Cactus League games before departing for training camp in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
In three starts for the Dominican national team, Colon went 1-0 with an 0.64 ERA and tossed six scoreless innings in the semifinal game against Cuba while allowing six hits and striking out four batters. Colon was removed after developing a blister.
Colon made one start this spring for the Angels and then took the mound Opening Day in Seattle, where he drew a no-decision. He lost his next two starts and began his first stint on the DL on April 16.
He was unavailable to comment Friday, but throughout spring and during Colon's times on the active roster this season, he never expressed full confidence that he has been healthy.
"It is tough news and we know what Bart has meant to our club and to our rotation," Scioscia said. "It has been a long time coming with the way Bart has pitched. But as the season has gone on, you're waiting for Bart to pitch the way he can and give us a boost. This is a piece of our rotation and we're going to miss him. We're going to have to adjust and keep moving forward."
Colon's replacement is already in the rotation. Left-hander Joe Saunders took Colon's turn Tuesday against the A's and picked up his second Major League win. Saunders is 2-0 in two starts this season and will face the Rangers in the series finale here Sunday.
"It is unfortunate for them. They have lot of good pitchers; it its one of their strengths," Rangers manager Buck Showalter said. "They will have somebody step up for them. One of their strengths is their farm system."
Saunders said it was a blow to the team but added that he'll be ready.
"I'm going to go out there and keep the same work ethic I've had the whole year," Saunders said. "I need to be hitting spots, keep the ball down and let my defense work."
Saunders is one of three rookie pitchers this season to start for the Angels and the trio has gone 10-0, led by Jered Weaver, who is 7-0. Right-hander Dustin Moseley earned his first Major League victory July 17.
"We're in a unique position in that we have a Joe Saunders. There are not many organizations that can go down and yank up a Saunders." Stoneman said. "You don't automatically turn down an offer to get a good pitcher. You know that not very many offers come up very often to get good pitching. We know that because of the volume of calls from teams at the deadline that wanted our starting pitching."
Colon went 21-8 last season to win his first Cy Young Award and first by an Angels pitcher since Dean Chance in 1964.