This article from Larry Stone was actually written more than two years ago, and was written because of Erik Bedard’s labrum tear, and not Michael Pineda’s labrum tear. At the time, Michael Pineda didn’t have a labrum tear. At the time, Michael Pineda was barely a thing. I mean, he was a pitcher, and a very big pitcher, but he wasn’t yet a can’t-miss pitcher, and, er, you know what I mean. Bedard, Pineda, it doesn’t matter. Stone’s information is still valid.
Stone: Michael Pineda, And Five Labrum Tear Case Studies
Stone looks at five pitchers who underwent labrum surgery and tracks their recoveries. This is some ground that Grant already covered in the update below, but also some new ground. An (extended) excerpt:
Casey Janssen, Blue Jays
March 18, 2008: Undergoes surgery to repair torn labrum in right shoulder, misses entire 2008 season.
May 23, 2009: After throwing 23 2/3 innings of rehab assignments in the minors, with a 0.76 ERA, Janssen makes first major-league appearance, giving up three runs in a six-inning start against Atlanta.
June 16, 2009: Janssen placed on disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder. He had a 2-3 record and 6.23 ERA in five starts.
Aug. 15, 2009: Janssen returns to majors, working a scoreless inning of relief against Tampa Bay. He appeared in 16 games the rest of the season, all in relief, with a 5.14 ERA.
Timetable: From initial surgery to first major-league appearance, 14 months and five days.
And, hey, Erik Bedard. Bedard had surgery on his labrum in 2009. He wound up missing the entire 2010 season after experiencing a setback during a rehab assignment, but in 2011, he was mostly outstanding, striking out a batter an inning over 24 starts. There is hope for Michael Pineda and the Yankees yet. There’s just a long, long way to go before the Yankees have an idea of what Pineda’s going to be on the other side.
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