Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Solis to have Tommy John surgery [updated]

File photo courtesy Bill Scheuerman
Sammy Solis will need Tommy John surgery to repair a torn elbow ligament.
Updated at 4:52 p.m.

VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals pitching prospect Sammy Solis has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, an injury that will require season-ending Tommy John surgery, the club officially announced this afternoon.

Solis is scheduled to have the ligament replacement surgery next Tuesday in Los Angeles, general manager Mike Rizzo said this afternoon. Orthopedist Lewis Yocum, who performed the same procedure on Nationals pitchers Jordan Zimmermann in 2009 and Stephen Strasburg in 2010, will operate.

Rated by Baseball America as the organization's sixth-best prospect, Solis had been dealing with elbow issues since November, when he was shut down from pitching in the Arizona Fall League with discomfort. Consultations with both Yocum and Nationals team doctor Wiemi Douoguih produced a difference of opinions; though MRIs showed a "slight change" in the ligament, according to Rizzo, Solis passed the other physical tests done to detect a tear.

Ultimately, the Nationals instructed Solis to take the rest of the winter off and then report to spring training and attempt to resume a throwing program.

"Because he passed all the physical tests they put him through, they felt the most prudent course of action would be to have him rest for a month and then ramp him back up into a throwing program, to see if we can avoid the Tommy John surgery," Rizzo said.

The 23-year-old lefty didn't make it very far through that program, though, after reporting to the Nationals' accelerated development camp last week. Following a bullpen session on Friday, he complained of elbow soreness.

Douoguih examined him and recommended Tommy John surgery, but Solis first flew to California to receive a second opinion from Yocum, who came to the same conclusion.

"We always knew this was a possibility," Rizzo said. "But we thought that instead of cutting on him right away, we felt that maybe we could get through this with rehabilitation. And we couldn't, so it cost us a couple months. But we felt it was prudent for a young pitcher. If two doctors aren't 100 percent sure that Tommy John is needed, I wasn't going to be the one to say it was needed."

The first pick of the second round of the 2010 draft out of the University of San Diego, Solis went 8-3 with a 3.26 ERA and a 93-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 17 starts between low-Class A Hagerstown and high-Class A Potomac last season. He went on to post a 4.50 ERA in seven starts in the AFL, dazzling onlookers including Rizzo on Nov. 4 with a four-inning, nine-strikeout performance (most by any AFL pitcher this year).

Solis' next start five days later -- he allowed three runs and four hits in three innings -- was his last.

Recovery time for Tommy John patients is typically 12-to-18 months, so Solis could be ready for the start of spring training next season. If he makes a full recovery, he'll still be viewed as a pitcher who could reach the majors in short order.

"He's a terrific prospect," Rizzo said. "He's got great stuff. We always thought even after we drafted him that he was a quick-to-the-big-leagues guy. This will derail that a little bit. But it's the same surgeon that did Strasburg and Zimmermann. So we feel confident that he should regain his pre-injury form, and we feel once he does, he'll be a definite positive factor for us in the near future."

123 comments:

Steve M. said...

...and here we go again, I hate to say. How can the diagnosis have changed from the AFL in the Fall? That's several months of time wasted if that is the case.

WTF_Rizzo said...

WOW! we are talking 2014 before he can continue his climb up the organizational ladder, horrible medical diagnosis, epic fail on the Nats organization again!

What does this do to the already depleted minor league pitching system?

adamvonblon said...

What's our record compared to other teams when dealing with TJ'd pitchers? Seems our top pitching prospect goes down yearly with the elbow procedure.

I remember reading once that some teams flag prospects with questionable mechanics as a way to avoid complications down the line, even if said player is better than another. Is it possible that the Nationals do the exact opposite while gambling on successful surgical operations and rehab, for a more potent rotation?

Sunderland said...

This is bizarre. Why wait until late February to throw? Ah well. He'll be back soon enough, stronger than ever. In 2016, we'll feature the first all Tommy John Rotation!

Doug said...

Yeah, if it's ripped, it's ripped. Why hesitate in visiting Yocum?

NatsLady said...

And you wonder why Rizzo collects pitchers?

Positively Half St. said...

I admit that I have long since stopped trusting the Nationals' medical staff. It is the one area in which I definitely buy into what the cynics are saying. A November operation would have had him ready for next year's Spring Training. This will not be so sure.

+1/2St.

Natsochist said...

Sunderland, given that Gio hasn't had TJ surgery yet, that may be more prophetic than you think...

/runs away and knocks on wood

Kirbs said...

Well at least we have a good surgon on our books....

fpcsteve said...

It is interesting that the Nats keep dealing with this particular problem. Once is a coincidence; twice a problem; three times a pattern. Is it something that develops after the Nats sign them (i.e., coaching) or (as an earlier poster asked) is it a high-risk, high- reward draft strategy? He will be pitching competitively by next season (albeit, in the minors), right? Next full season 2014?

jcj5y said...

I believe he did visit Yocum in the fall. If there's a difference of medical opinion, I suspect the player has some input too. Anyone would want to avoid surgery if it's at all possible. They lost 3-4 months in his surgery/rehab schedule. But given that surgery in the fall would have put him on schedule to start ramping up just as baseball season was ending, the decision to wait doesn't strike me as a huge mistake.

MicheleS said...

Do we get a group discount?

Mark said...

adamvonblon,

"I remember reading once that some teams flag prospects with questionable mechanics as a way to avoid complications down the line, even if said player is better than another. Is it possible that the Nationals do the exact opposite while gambling on successful surgical operations and rehab, for a more potent rotation?"

You're right, we definitely should have passed on both Zimmermann and Strasburg.

Constant Reader said...

Like most of you, I'd like to know more about this sentence:

"Consultations with multiple doctors produced a difference of opinions, so the Nationals instructed Solis to take the rest of the winter off and then report to spring training and attempt to resume a throwing program."

Put yourself in Solis's shoes. If there was a difference of opinion on your diagnosis, would you go for surgery immediately or take time off and then see how you felt when you tried to fire it back up? As GMs, would you guys really have ordered the kid to have surgery back in October? Unless and until Mark or others out there can give us more inform on the difference in medical opinions, I'll hold back on bashing Rizzo.

NatsLady said...

Constant Reader--EXACTLY what I was thinking.

Have we reached the moment when TJ is automatic? There was an article a while back suggesting that parents are wondering if their kids should just have it as a precaution/advantage.

Having been through three knee surgeries in four years with the knee still very bad, let me tell you (a) surgery is no fun; and (b) even though TJ has a high track record of success, it's not a guarantee.

NatinBeantown said...

jcj5y is correct. People act as if major ligament surgery is a light decision. People also seem to forget that almost every pitcher in the league experienes discomfort in his arm over the course of the year, many multiple times.

Over 150 players have had this surgery, many after prolonged battles with soreness and decreased velocity. So no, it's not just the Nats that have an issue identifying mechanical issues, preventing injury, or diagnosing the problem.

Mick said...

That is fine, let him have surgery and take his time back. You can NEVER have a enough pitchers.

Only thing gang, this old dog and coach remembers well the hype going into the 1970 season after the Nats went 86-76 in 1969. I don't want our Nats to be the 1970 Nats or more recently the 2011 Twins

Anonymous said...

When you like flamethrowers, you need to keep Dr. Yokum's number in your Rolodex. Livan Hernandez was never injured. Would he be better in the rotation than Strasburg or Zimmermann?

FWIW, don't be shocked to see Storen pay a visit to Dr. Yocum someday.

Steve M. said...

fpcsteve said...
It is interesting that the Nats keep dealing with this particular problem. Once is a coincidence; twice a problem; three times a pattern. Is it something that develops after the Nats sign them (i.e., coaching) or (as an earlier poster asked) is it a high-risk, high- reward draft strategy? He will be pitching competitively by next season (albeit, in the minors), right? Next full season 2014?

February 28, 2012 10:24 AM


It is a coincidence but the diagnosis or flawed diagnosis or difference of opinion is a bigger set-back to the inevitable. Non-operative alternatives are done all the time for non-pitchers. This young man's profession is PITCHER.

Why can't this team get it right the first time. The test where they shoot the Gadolineum dye into the elbow is 100% accurate if read properly. I don't get how you blow the call on this. The call to go home and ice it and take 1600ml of Motrin doesn't make this better for this situation.

This team needs a standardized procedure. The Gadolineum dye is conclusive as it will show what you can't see on the MRI sometimes. Some cases are clear cut and I suppose Solis wasn't, but if you do the procedure in November, he is fully ready for Spring Training next year and that's the bigger issue here.

Mick said...

Hey gang, just heard from a great source, Peyton Manning joined Congressional Country Club. So, the stupidity continues with the Skins.

adamvonblon said...

Kavorka, you're misinterpreting me. I was wondering aloud if our front office has taken advantage of most other teams' fears. Maybe they view the strong chance of a lost injury year as a sufficient sacrifice to obtain a stronger rotation.

In no way am I second-guessing our draft history or our baseball scouting department.

Mick said...

Why is anyone critical of this decision is beyond me. If the arms fall apart this season, then there is a problem, if not please chill out

NatStat said...

As long as Rizzo and Co. wish to be in denial about the more recent research in the biomechanics of pitching, they will continue to have to stall the careers of their young pitchers.

They seem to think that it's all about 'pitch count'---and it isn't. As a result, they fritter around and pretend they know what they are doing with their phoney interpretation of medical data.

Solis will probably come back and continue on the trail of a promising career, but at what cost??

Rick Petersen, is only one professional advocate of the more advanced understandings of pitching mechanics, but it'll be interesting to see how young talent in the Orioles organization progresses in comparison to the Nats.

The Rays also seem to be on the right track with their pitching talent.

Rizzo seems to have scouting and signing down pat; now he needs to get the rest of the picture.

Mick said...

NatStat you are over reacting

Steve M. said...

Mick said...
Hey gang, just heard from a great source, Peyton Manning joined Congressional Country Club. So, the stupidity continues with the Skins.

February 28, 2012 10:59 AM


I heard Peyton was inquiring at Congressional and they told him no special favors that he had to wait like everyone else. He put in his paperwork.

I wouldn't read into it except that he will end up a member there and may not end up a Washington Redskin.

SCNatsFan said...

Unless we plan on drafting all soft tossers then this is going to happen and, as stated above, that's why you stockpile arms. As for why, out yourself in Solis' shoes; young and career on the line, do you try rest before surgery if there is a chance rest heals it. Although I'm sure all the naysayers on the board would do the surgery first because they put the teams schedule and needs before their own. Bad break for the kid but not the death sentence it once was.

Anonymous said...

I think he'll be ready for spring training next year, just like he would have been had he had the surgery in fall. 12 months seems to be the timetable these days.

Gardner said...

The guys who wait to try and see if rehab and rest will sort it out almost seem to always end up needing to be cut. If they would have done the procedure when he was shut down in the AFL he'd be 5 months down the road and ready to start his throwing program right about now. I can't remember a situation where waiting ended up paying off long term.

blovy8 said...

This is the good thing about having Lannan. At least there's one guy without a max effort delivery. I hate to say it, but I bet Detwiler would be next in 2013 if he gets a lot of innings, with the awkward mechanics he has.

Mick said...

maybe its just me, but is our Rizzo related to the infamous Frank (open up your friggin ears jackass) Rizzo? lol

To much coffee

Constant Reader said...

I'll admit I have no clue what Steve M. just said and I am pretty certain I had a floor made with the stuff he was talking about, but I am impressed with his conviction. Playful teasing aside, if the Nats FO is saying anything further, your readership, Mark, would like to know more about the difference of opinion.

FS said...

This is getting old. I have to say that they should have visited that doctor earlier.

Mick said...

Heard Tom Lavarro say he thinks Lannan may not make team

NatsLady said...

This is not shocking news, nor did the Nats neglect their responsibility to the year 2013, according to Comack. If Solis doesn't arrive until 2014, so be it. You think we won't need pitchers in that year?

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/5/nationals-concerned-about-solis-elbow/

These things happen. People, can we go back to being happy? It's still February.

BTW, I looked and looked but can't find that the Georgetown game will be on live audio or video. If anyone knows different, please post! Game starts at noon Friday--real (fake) baseball is a comin'.

Anonymous said...

I'm canceling my health insurance. With so many doctors around in the comments section all able to diagnose things based on news reports, why bother going into the office?

NatsLady said...

FS-- they did visit the doctor last year. Results not conclusive.

Mick said...

starting to think that if Nats won a WS that the naysayers would still bash Rizzo, what is this New York, lol?

natsfan1a said...

Don't get me wrong, I like potatoes as much as the next gal, but is this a food blog or a baseball blog? :-)

Steve M. said...

Mick said...
Hey gang, just heard from a great source, Peyton Manning joined Congressional Country Club. So, the stupidity continues with the Skins.

February 28, 2012 10:59 AM

I heard Peyton was inquiring at Congressional and they told him no special favors that he had to wait like everyone else. He put in his paperwork.

I wouldn't read into it except that he will end up a member there and may not end up a Washington Redskin.
February 28, 2012 11:06 AM

Mick said...

natsfan1a, just trying to get away from the baseless bashing of a very good GM.

MicheleS said...

Looks like our Speedy McLeadoff/CF needs surgery too...

Bourjous needs hip surgery

natsfan1a said...

I'm not a doctor, but I'm with NatsLady here.

Re. Friday's game, I've not seen anything as far as a broadcast either.

NatsLady said...

This is not shocking news, nor did the Nats neglect their responsibility to the year 2013, according to Comack. If Solis doesn't arrive until 2014, so be it. You think we won't need pitchers in that year?

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/5/nationals-concerned-about-solis-elbow/

These things happen. People, can we go back to being happy? It's still February.

BTW, I looked and looked but can't find that the Georgetown game will be on live audio or video. If anyone knows different, please post! Game starts at noon Friday--real (fake) baseball is a comin'.
February 28, 2012 11:16 AM

SCNastFan said...

Mick didn't you know that it is Rizzo out there hurting these guys?

natsfan1a said...

Ah, very good thought, Mick. It's just the execution. :-)

Mick said...

natsfan1a, just trying to get away from the baseless bashing of a very good GM.
February 28, 2012 11:22 AM

natsfan1a said...

Yes, I saw that about Bourjos the other day.

Anonymous said...

I don't get how when it is this close of a call that they don't just opt to do the surgery. Given the track record for recovery for the surgery, the guy's youth and the likelihood, based upon hundreds of guys in similar situations, that he did indeed damage his elbow, it seems like they wasted 3 months of rehab time. I mean how often do guys like this have this kind of discomfort and it turns out to be just phantom soreness?

FS said...

NatsLady, thanks. I didn't know that. Anyways too bad Solis needs another year to develop. However there is still some concern regarding 3 of our pitchers having to go through TJS in last few years. That's a lot for one team I think. Then again Cardinals (arguably best pitching coach?) had two TJS on their two best pitchers in last five years, Carpenter and Wainwright. I hope for the best now.

Mick said...

FYI:

check out Catholic U baseball, they have a nice team again and they made the NCAA D-III playoffs last season and made history by beating the overall number one seed, before dropping the next two games. Coach Nat does a nice job there. Also, here is a local baseball story I cannot believe the Post or even Mark has picked up on. St Albans in DC has 5 players over the past 4 seasons all playing in MLB organizations, with perhaps the next Strassburg in Danny Holten!

N. Cognito said...

Probably not much different than most other teams.

natsfan1a said...

Kilgore has a piece up about the Nats limiting group ticket sales for the May Phillies series (hehe). On a somewhat related note, I believe the Take Back the Park ticket sale continues through March 8, when single ticket sales are open to the general public. I believe the single ticket sales will open to "insiders" on March 1. You can sign up to be an insider via the team site, if memory serves. Anyhoo, if you haven't gotten your tix to Take Back the Park, get on over there and do it. I'll be there for the Saturday day game. :-)

NatsLady said...

How handy is it to have Werth on our team?!!! Loving it...! TAKE BACK THE PARK.

From the WaPo:
Former Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth recalled the Phillies running a similar promotion during his first years in Philadelphia aimed at keeping New York Mets fans out of Citizens Bank Ballpark.

“All I know is, in ’07 it was 50-50, 60-40 Mets to Phillies fans,” Werth said. “And then pretty soon there were very little Mets fans. Whether that’s because they stopped selling to Mets fans or they just stopped coming, I don’t know.

“You’re definitely better off with a park full of your own fans at home compared to a park full of somebody else’s fans at home. I think it’s good.”

natsfan1a said...

Very cool about the St. Albans players, Mick.

natsfan1a said...

Great minds think alike, NatsLady. :-)

Mick said...

definitely take back OUR park F all Phillies Fans

Avar said...

Wow, lot of doctors and biomechanical experts with nothing better to do but blog today.

Injuries happen folks. And I'm sure if you were a 24 year professional pitcher you would sign up for losing 18 months of your career at the drop of a hat.

Unless you have done some research that shows the Nats pitchers are injured more often than other teams, then shut up. Every team has multiple pitchers injured every season.

150 pitchers have had TJ, pretty sure most of them didn't pitch for the Nats.

whatsanattau said...

Just adding my voice as one of those people who do NOT think waiting 4 months was a bad idea - especially when there is a difference of opinion. Also wondering if waiting was not a requirement given the strep infection he had earlier in the winter. Not a doctor in real life or on TV, but recall hearing that he had one. Seems like a bad time to cut into someone.

natsfan1a said...

I believe that's what they call "institutional memory." :-)

From the WaPo:
Former Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth recalled the Phillies running a similar promotion during his first years in Philadelphia aimed at keeping New York Mets fans out of Citizens Bank Ballpark.

“All I know is, in ’07 it was 50-50, 60-40 Mets to Phillies fans,” Werth said. “And then pretty soon there were very little Mets fans. Whether that’s because they stopped selling to Mets fans or they just stopped coming, I don’t know.

“You’re definitely better off with a park full of your own fans at home compared to a park full of somebody else’s fans at home. I think it’s good.”

Mick said...

TY natsfan1A

Feel Wood said...

It is a coincidence but the diagnosis or flawed diagnosis or difference of opinion is a bigger set-back to the inevitable. Non-operative alternatives are done all the time for non-pitchers. This young man's profession is PITCHER.

Why can't this team get it right the first time. The test where they shoot the Gadolineum dye into the elbow is 100% accurate if read properly. I don't get how you blow the call on this.


It's not the team that reads and interprets the test results, it's a DOCTOR who does that. By all accounts, Solis saw more than one doctor last fall and there was a difference of opinion. What is the team supposed to tell the player, listen to Doctor A and ignore Doctor B? THAT would be about as irresponsible as you could get.

Sounds like you're advocating that at the first sign of discomfort they just send everyone to Dr. Mengele and be done with it.

blovy8 said...

Hell, they might be right in eschewing center fielders since all the decent young ones available who can lead off just get hurt. I always figured that Nyjer Morgan's problem was going to be running into something or someone and being out for a year and a half more than his annoying antics or actual ability.

Mick said...

yikes feelwood, all good points but the the Dr M part was not necessary

SCNatsFan said...

I bet Solis didn't have the surgery because Dibble told him to stop being a sissy and push thru the pain

natsfan1a said...

Re. the Georgetown game, not sure whether this may indicate that one will be able to follow it via the Game Day graphics function on the MLB site? (If so, I'm guessing that it will not be in regular season form.)

HHover said...

And in other news:

Fangraph's reader survey ranks the Nats TV broacasters 23rd among MLB broadcast teams:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/broadcaster-rankings-tv-30-21/

blovy8 said...

Three years in a row, yep, that's a tendoncy toward this problem in the organization.

Anonymous said...

"that's a tendoncy toward this problem "

Not sure whether the typo was intentional, but it was clever!

Anonymous said...

blovy8- just a nod of appreciation for your "handle."

UnkyD said...

wow.....the Mengele card, Feel Wood? Really?

Blaming Dibble works for me....

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Dr. Nick would have done nicely.

V8- I sinew do that before. Nice.

As for Werth's "very little Mets fans," I hope he was nice and signed some baseballs for the tykes.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Speaking of waiting for the inflammation to go down, once the sky is done falling on this, can someone who's not just pulling info out of their [hat] help us out--how unusual is this apparent run of bad elbows, anyway? Obviously, the Nats aren't the only team to have a pitcher get hurt. Is this unusual? If it is, is it short-term unusual, like you might see if it were just bad luck, or long-term unusual?

Schumatrix said...

I mean, it's not like Solis would have been in the rotation next year anyway. Plus, it's better he have the surgery now when he's young and barely beginning his pro career.

Mark'd said...

Feelwood, are you sick? Mengele references. Sad day

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

“All I know is, in ’07 it was 50-50, 60-40 Mets to Phillies fans,” Werth said. “And then pretty soon there were very little Mets fans."

"Pretty soon"= nine months?
Someone needs to explain the facts of life to Jayson.

Feel Wood said...

Dr. Nick would have done nicely.

Dr. Nick is just incompetent. I was looking more for a doctor who is doing what he does because he knows that he and only he is the one who can right all medical wrongs. No need for second opinions, just ready, set, operate. So if Mengele is a bad example of that, perhaps try Dr. Frankenstein instead. But for all of you who got your panties in a wad with a mention of Mengele, I do have to wonder how you react to Col. Klink and Sgt. Schultz.

Anonymous said...

Hey everybody!

(Motto of Hollywood Upstairs Medical College)

Best 25 go North!

dfh21

natsfan1a said...

Well, he *did* get his percentages to total 100, so there's that. That, and he's a ballplayer, not a grammarian. (That said, my inner proofreader noticed it as well, but I subdued her. :-))

Sec 3, My Sofa said...

“All I know is, in ’07 it was 50-50, 60-40 Mets to Phillies fans,” Werth said. “And then pretty soon there were very little Mets fans."

"Pretty soon"= nine months?
Someone needs to explain the facts of life to Jayson.
February 28, 2012 12:27 PM

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

I do have to wonder how you react to Col. Klink and Sgt. Schultz.

This is probably a mistake, but ...

bad example, again. Klink and Schultz were fictional characters, and deliberately written as buffoons, to mock the bad guys. And anyway, if you were going for just "I can do no wrong" arrogance, and not inhumanity, still a bad choice. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

Heads will roll!!

Hawkstedder and Burkhalter were the good bad guys, but I only had real intrerest in Helga. Ahh, Helga.

dfh21

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

That's not the same Helga as in Cabaret, is it?

Anonymous said...

I meant Hilda. Helga, Hilda, whatever it takes.

(Little Mr. Mom reference for ya there).

I am segwaying away from nazi torture doctors to something else here if anyone is wondering.

Hey look! Bryce Harper must be tweeting something cur-azy right now!

dfh21

natsfan1a said...

In other news, Florida Today has an interesting piece on Rendon.

Feel Wood said...

And anyway, if you were going for just "I can do no wrong" arrogance, and not inhumanity, still a bad choice. Sorry.

Okay, you come up with a better object for that simile (or any object, for that matter) in the ten or 15 seconds you've got to write a response to someone's comment before everyone else here gets sidetracked by the typical drivel that you all are constantly spewing around here.

And the Mengele mention? That was just a drinking game, sofabrain.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

I am segwaying away from nazi torture doctors

I'd stick with motorcycles, they're faster!

Mick said...

OK, Feel wood, fair enough and i will bail out with.. I think Bryce's mother looks like Stifler's Mom, lol

Mick said...

I meant bail you out with...

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Well, in fairness, nothing came to mind right away for me either, but that usually means it's a bad metaphor, and I abandon it. I do think these things through, believe it or not.

Oh, and are you missing a cactus?

Mick said...

back to Nats, are we looking at no starter going beyond 6 innings if we assume that Davey goes as follows: Lidge in 7th, Clip in 8th, Storen in 9th?

Anonymous said...

Nahh, I've got the leather pants, bowl haircut and Nascar shades and everything, so I am sticking with the segway.

dfh21

Adam said...

I feel like we are destined to have every pitcher get a major elbow or shoulder surgery

Anonymous said...

I think Storen might be trade bait. Package him and Flores or him and Desmond or him and Lannan and the club might get a killer haul. He's great, but he can be replaced.

N. Cognito said...

Sec 3, My Sofa said...
“All I know is, in ’07 it was 50-50, 60-40 Mets to Phillies fans,” Werth said. “And then pretty soon there were very little Mets fans."

"Pretty soon"= nine months?
Someone needs to explain the facts of life to Jayson."

It's all a matter of perspective. A long time ago I was 12 years old. Soon after that, I was 18.

Anonymous said...

In the end the team doesn't decide on surgery ... its the patient. Perhaps Solis decided to wait, like the rest of us, hoping for the best. But, it seemed a pretty forgone conclusion.

Now, he will be an older prospect starting again in the lower minors ... older than McGreary another promising lefty. That may be why he chose to wait.

Mick said...

Anonymous said...

I think Storen might be trade bait. Package him and Flores or him and Desmond or him and Lannan and the club might get a killer haul. He's great, but he can be replaced.

when you say "killer haul" what do you mean. i would never trade Storen!

N. Cognito said...

Anonymous said...
"I meant Hilda. Helga, Hilda, whatever it takes.

(Little Mr. Mom reference for ya there).

I am segwaying away from nazi torture doctors to something else here if anyone is wondering.

Hey look! Bryce Harper must be tweeting something cur-azy right now!"

Who are you and what have you done with dfh21?

MicheleS said...

DFH21 has been enjoying the Best 25 go North!

Gulp! Bang!

FS said...

natsfan1a, thanks for Rendon piece. Excited to see him with big guys sooner than later.

jd said...

I read the Rendon piece. I think the writer is jumping the gun a bit. I think Rendon starts in Potomac and finishes in Harrisburg this year. Starts in Harrisburg with an eye to a September call up at the end of 2013. I think he plays 3rd base throughout and then one of 2 things happens:

1) He gets traded (2013 trade dead line) for a piece to a playoff run.

2) Zim moves to 1st base and Rendon takes over at 3rd in 2014.

UnkyD said...

An excellent rule of thumb (for any kiddies, following along): leave the Nazi card in the deck. Sports, Politics, Medicine, whatever... Nobody ever pays you on the back, saying "nice metaphor", when you play the Nazi card.

UnkyD said...

Pats...pats you on the back....

Anonymous said...

Got it. The comment Nazis don't like playing the Nazi card. Too close to home, eh?

natsfan1a said...

New post. (Yay.)

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

http://www.guhoyas.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/012712aaa.html

Theophilus said...

How 'bout Kevorkian? He qualified?

Rabbit said...

Geez. It's getting like to be a pre-condition to have Tommy John surgert to join the Nationals.

natsfan1a said...

On another note, just found that the Take Back the Park sale now includes other Phillies series (not just the May series). I believe the sale continues until March 8, when single ticket sales open to the public. (I'm not a Nats ticket office flack; I just don't want to be surrounded by rowdy Phoolies Phans.)

Gonat said...

Feel Wood, just got back to read this and started from the bottom up and didn't know what this reference to Mengele was as I'm not a history buff. I Wiki'd it and was blown away about how sick this psycho was http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Mengele.

My grandfather fought in World War II and I have heard the stories. I just don't know how an intelligent guy like you can pull the Nazi Death Doctors name into any analagous mention to a discussion about TJ surgery. This is probably a new low on this site.

I am disgusted to a point where I think you have sunk to a level where Mark should ban you from this blog. A sad day on NI.

Anonymous said...

"Consultations with both Yocum and Nationals team doctor Wiemi Douoguih produced a difference of opinions; though MRIs showed a "slight change" in the ligament, according to Rizzo, Solis passed the other physical tests done to detect a tear."

So, the Nats were wrong and it cost the guy several months??

Anonymous said...

"If two doctors aren't 100 percent sure that Tommy John is needed, I wasn't going to be the one to say it was needed."

Which is why it's a good thing that Rizzo is GM and not SteveM or any of the other bozos on this board.

Anonymous said...

There is a school of thought, based not on conjecture, but on empiricism, that pitchers with certain mechanical flaws present a high risk of injury. Strasburg and Zimmermann were identified as possessors of this trait (the "iverted w", for short) before they were injured. I'm sorry to say that these observers also identify Gio Gonzalez as such a pitcher.
I have no idea if these folks are right, but I sure hope that our front office has done some research into this.

natsfan1a said...

I'm not going to comment regarding specific subject matter, but I vote for not banning Feel Wood or anybody else. (Not even any of y'all Anons. :-))

Gardner said...

No banning necessary - the Mengele reference is fairly well accepted in pop culture - some folks are more Nazi sensitive than others (I am) but lets move along. Certainly no MLB front office would want to be seen as pressuring an asset..I mean player to have surgery. I really feel for the kid - a torn labrum ruined my career and I wish him all the best. Go Nats!

Anonymous8 said...

Anonymous said...
"Consultations with both Yocum and Nationals team doctor Wiemi Douoguih produced a difference of opinions; though MRIs showed a "slight change" in the ligament, according to Rizzo, Solis passed the other physical tests done to detect a tear."

So, the Nats were wrong and it cost the guy several months??

February 28, 2012 6:29 PM

That's why you shoot the dye!

Anonymous said...

The nats need to get all their pitchers evaluated at asmi so they can have thier mechanics checked.the O's just hired rick peterson(works for asmi).They put sensors on the joints and find out the amount of tourque each pitcher puts on thier arm.the also have proven a pitchers velocity comes from thier hip rotation in their delivery.Also the pitchers who throw with an inverted w have signifigantly higher levels of external rotation(bad) in their arm during thier delivery.All the o's pitchers are now doing the biomechanical evaluations.The rays and brewers also do this as well

Anonymous said...

WI EM I a MLB doctor if I can;t tell that an elbow is shot?

Gardner said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gardner said...

Extra credit and a gold star for anyone who can pronounce "Wiemi Douoguih"

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Way-EE-mee Doo-OHH-gee (hard G)

Installed my wife's knee. Good guy.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

OK, for what (little) it's worth, IMO we've established the reference was unwelcome, uncalled for, and as yet unapologized for. There are people here I'd ban if I could, but FeelWood is not one of them.

D'Gourds said...

As an anesthesiologist who spends a lot of time in the operating room doing orthopedic cases, I know that orthopedics is a very broad specialty and that's why there are subspecialties. The two glaring misdiagnoses of Dr. Douoguih in my memory are Rendon's ulnar collateral ligament tear and Zimmerman's abdominal tear. The very fact, Sec 3 my sofa, that this doc did a total knee on your wife tells me that he is not an exclusive sports injury orthopedist. Even these guys are subspecialized to upper vs. lower extremities. It's really pretty surprising that an MLB team doc isn't doing 100% sports orthopedics. It seems like it's time for the Nats to choose a new doc. There are some excellent ones in the DC area.

Tcostant said...

Look at the bright side, at least this happen while he was a minor leaguer, so this doesn't cost the Nationals any major league service time while he re-habs.

A DC Wonk said...

Before we get on Dr. Douoguih's case any more, note that Kilgore wrote:

Solis first experienced elbow discomfort last December after an impressive performance in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League. At that point, the Nationals put Solis through physical tests to determine if he needed Tommy John surgery and gave him an MRI. The MRI showed a possible, but passed the physical tests. Douoguih then recommended Tommy John surgery, but a second opinion differed.

Perhaps we can lighten up on the bashing?

DL in VA said...

Solis first experienced elbow discomfort last December after an impressive performance in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League. At that point, the Nationals put Solis through physical tests to determine if he needed Tommy John surgery and gave him an MRI. The MRI showed a possible, but passed the physical tests. Douoguih then recommended Tommy John surgery, but a second opinion differed.

Perhaps we can lighten up on the bashing?

-----

Especially if that second opinion is in fact the opinion of Dr. Yocum.

But, haven't you noticed? Bashing the Nats is what people do on this board. It's getting near the point where I won't bother reading the comments anymore.

Soul Possession, PFB Sofa said...

Not all of us. And the knee was a long time ago. And for all you know, I'm married to Martina Navratilova. OK, not really, but still.

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