News/views: Kingham has elbow surgery

Apparently, Taillon is throwing in extended spring training now, and in his last outing was consistently throwing in the mid-90s. That sounds like a pitcher making good progress towards a return later this year.

I read that it was in two inning stints.

We're not likely to see Taillon until September. I've read that his rehab is being strictly controlled so that he won't use up all of his innings a la Strasburg, in case they need him for the bullpen or rotation down the stretch.

Adrian Sampson could get a look.
Decent control......best Indy starter when it comes to missing bats.

I'm sure he and Sadler get a look, frank. The question is are they an upgrade from Locke, Worley, Morton? Or about the same?

A healthy Taillon woulda been sweet.

You're talking the back end of the rotation. If they could give us what Locke and Morton just gave us (Locke 5.2 innings/0 runs......
Morton (7.0 innings/2 runs) I'd be quite pleased.

I would be even happier if those two can continue to put up such numbers.

Giants, Dodgers, Cards, the Nationals...good rotations, Frank. Battle tested too.

We'll see. NH has some good July/August acquisitions on his resume. See how it plays out.

#5 starters

Giants: Hudson 5.04 ERA WHIP 1.373
Cards: Garcia 3.46 ERA WHIP 1.385
L.A.: Frias 5.34 ERA WHIP 1.570
Nats: Strasburg 6.59 ERA WHIP 1.692

The back end of rotations (even on winning teams) are always suspect.
So don't lose heart.

I agree on Taillon.
The silver lining with TJ surgery is the success rate.
But then there is Jose Rijo. Who had 5.

He missed 5 years.

frank, problem is that you can guarantee at least the Dodgers, Cubs, and Cards will be in the market for upgrades, and the Pirates are already in the position of playing catchup.

The Pirates have depth, yes, but arguably little quality. I don't think this offense will be potent enough to carry mediocre pitching down the stretch.

Compare the ERA/WHIP of Morton and Locke to the #4/5 starters on those teams.

We are in the ballpark.

Relax and enjoy Pirate baseball.

Beat 'em Bucs!!

Depth.....but no quality??

2nd in the league in ERA.....4th in WHIP??

Quality enough for you?

Note: You DO understand the acronyms?

Quality depth, frank. Take a valium and try to keep up.

Quality depth, frank. Take a valium and try to keep up.

I got a hard time believing AJ will maintain his current pace. He tailed off in 2013.

Yep.....no one this side of Hoot in '68 could maintain a 1.37 ERA.
Thanks for restating the obvious.
BTW: When did anyone say HE WOULD?

NMR:
Lay off the valium. Return to reality.
IF.....you were.....in fact.....ever here?

NMR:
Lay off the valium. Return to reality.
IF.....you were.....in fact.....ever here?

Frank NMR is right. They have a lot of skill in the bigs tight now. And they have a lot of arms in Indy for depth. At this point none of those depth arms are real quality.

Also I find it hilarious you questioned NMRs knowledge of acronyms. NMR is the resident Sabrmetician.

Still have some depth--Sampson and Sadler having good seasons at Indy, Volstad also has thrown some good games

This also from MLB.com:

Does an athlete require an actual elbow injury to undergo the surgery?

"The only approved medical reason for Tommy John surgery is a torn or ruptured ulnar collateral ligament. The procedure should not be performed in the absence of an injury."

http://m.mlb.com/pitchsmart/tommy-john-faq

So unless Dr Andrews wants to risk his license......preventive TJ surgery will not be happening.

I was just thinking the same thing Joe. The surgery has progressed to the point where there's really no side effects to having it done so I won't be surprised if in the next 5-10 years it become one of those things pitchers have done just to get it out of the way.

Problem is that there hasn't been any evidence of Tommy John surgeries preventing additional elbow injuries. No benefit, what-so-ever, for a healthy elbow.

Its the time loss that sucks. 18 months to get back. Seems like another year to get back to presurgery strength and stamina.

Harvey looks like he still needs time.

TJ surgery isn't a preventive measure. All it does is restore a permanently injured elbow to its original condition.

Don't mean to be cynical......but.....so we draft quality pitching.......and then trade them for pitchers ready to return from TJ surgery/rehab?

Think about that. Back in the 1960s those guys who make up that 25% would have been reduced to pitching partial seasons, mop up duty, or out of baseball.

Or pumping gas at Citgo.

He'd be eating Bill Gate's lunch. I don't like it that a pro sport regularly requires surgical reconstruction of 25 year olds.

Actually it sounds like that writer doesn't know he's planning to retire.
It is called Trade Rumors ;-)

"set to hit the open market"

Not Dejan.....but.....Sampson/Sadler. Pick'em.
Sadler should get the nod.....MLB experience (a wee bit).

Thanks Frank

I know I sound like a nut, but I can't see why everybody is assuming the worst about Chuck. I mean, as a 4th starter, he's a pretty darned terrific option. And he should be rested and, hopefully, ready to roll for the rest of the season.