MLB injury notes: Dustin Pedroia playing through UCL tear, Kyuji Fujikawa needs Tommy John, and more
The latest in injury news from around Major League Baseball.
Jim Rogash
Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has been playing through a UCL tear in his left thumb all season, and plans to continue doing so.
We’ve got all the details on the injury here.
Fujikawa needs TJS
Chicago Cubs setup man Kyuji Fujikawa's inaugural MLB season is officially over. The right-hander went back on the disabled list Monday with a forearm strain, and an MRI taken Tuesday revealed that he needs season-ending Tommy John surgery, per Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
More Fujikawa: About the Tommy John
No doctor or date have been determined for the operation as of yet, but Fujikawa is definitively done for the season, and will likely miss the first couple months of 2014.
Signed to a two-year, $9.5 million contract over the winter, Fujikawa was designed to be the Cubs' failsafe at closer in the event that Carlos Marmol faltered (which he has) or was traded. Forearm issues troubled Fujikawa from the get-go, however, limiting him to just 12 appearances on the year.
Harper likely out until Friday
Bryce Harper probably won't take the field during the club's regional rivalry series against the Orioles. The Nats outfielder is still experiencing swelling in his knee, and manager Davey Johnson does not think that he'll be able to DH on Wednesday or Thursday in Baltimore, reports Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington.
If Harper is unable to DH, one wonders if he’ll really be ready to get back on the field Friday when the club heads to Atlanta. The young outfielder has been dealing with bursitis in his knee since colliding with the outfield wall at Dodger Stadium two weeks ago.
Mariano makes personal history
And not the good kind. Lawrie headed to DL
Toronto really needs to work on its sliding. Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie is likely headed to the disabled list with a sprained ankle, reports Barry Davis of Sportsnet.
Lawrie hurt his ankle when he slid awkwardly into second base Monday night. It was initially thought that Lawrie would miss just a few games, but now it’s looking like the injury may be a bit more long-term.
Andy LaRoche will likely be called up in Lawrie's stead.
Braun returns, still hurting
Ryan Braun was back in the Brewers' starting lineup Tuesday, but may return to the bench for a few days to let his aching thumb fully heal, reports Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Braun has been dealing with discomfort in his thumb for the last two weeks, which he says has relegated him to “basically swinging with one hand” in that span. Manager Ron Roenicke is hopeful that the thumb will heal while Braun continues to play, but noted that some time off is definitely on the table.
The injury noticeably affected Braun in his first plate appearance Tuesday (a strikeout), but he still managed to notch two hits (a single and a triple) later in the game.
Hamilton sits with back spasms
Angels right fielder Josh Hamilton was a late scratch on Tuesday due to back spasms, reports Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.
The back issues cropped up during batting practice prior to the game, and manager Mike Scioscia said that the outfielder was unavailable to pinch-hit. The Angels plan on reevaluating Hamilton before the home leg of their series against the Dodgers kicks off Wednesday night.
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