CBRACKE
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I studied art and communications in college, not science. On top of this, I was not given the gift when it came to understanding biology, chemistry, and other sciences like my father. Had I shown a greater affinity for the sciences, I could probably call upon some sort of medical background to offer a more detailed examination of Mariners’ closer J.J. Putz. Since I’m not, I’ll have to rely on my 16 years of experience of reading through the cryptic injury speak thrown around by major league teams.
I don’t buy that a hyperextended elbow is all we are dealing with when it comes to Putz. Chris at Disabled List Informer agrees with me to a certain extent.
The Mariners placed Putz on the 15-day DL on Friday after seeing the results of an MRI exam taken on Thursday. Despite that exam showing no structural damage in his elbow, the team seemingly rushed to get him on the shelf despite previously mentioning waiting until Monday to determine a course of action.
On top of that, Putz told The Seattle Times that he experienced numbness in his fingers after throwing a split-fingered fastball on Wednesday in Toronto, and he immediately began to wonder about what he’s heard other pitchers claim–numbness being the symptom of serious arm injuries.
“They said the first thing they felt was the numbness in their fingers and that shooting pain,” Putz said. “So when I had that, [Thursday] was miserable until we got the results.”
I just have a tough time believing that he isn’t dealing with a more serious injury. So even if he comes off the DL and reclaims the closer role for a period of time, I don’t believe he’ll make it through the rest of the season without a flare up. In fact, Brandon Morrow, who has a 4.2 K:BB ratio in his last 14 innings, is a must add in all fantasy leagues in which he hasn’t already been claimed. I think his future in coming seasons is in the M’s rotation, but for now I’d make him an even bet to have the most saves of any arm in the Mariners’ bullpen through the rest of the season. Sounds like a bet that you won’t need science to prove.
Photo courtesy of Prospect Insider.Wordpress.Com
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