Could elbow problems be ahead for Beckett?
This entry was posted on 8/20/2008 3:54 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
Don't want to alarm anyone about the Josh Beckett situation, and the tingling/numbness the Sox ace is experiencing in his right ring and pinky fingers, but
here's a piece on J.J. Putz from several months ago-- a time in June when the All-Star closer was very worried about a potential Tommy John injury after experiencing
numbness and tingling in his fingers.
While it's good there hasn't been any complaints of elbow pain to speak of...the threat of an elbow irritation/injury is something that could wreak havoc with Boston's playoff hopes. Other sources have talked about the problem as a potential carpal tunnel syndrome issue (maybe Beckett is a big Guitar Hero guy?). Sox fans have to be hoping that's the case.
Just something to think about...Here's part of the AP piece written on Putz way back in June:
All-Star closer J.J. Putz went on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a hyperextended pitching elbow, the latest setback in a season gone wrong for the Seattle Mariners.
"Very relieved that it's nothing structural," Putz said. "Just take a few days off from throwing and start over."
It's the second DL stint this season for Putz, who missed 18 games in April with a rib cage injury from which he now says he came back too soon. Knee and finger pain kept the Mariners from using him for parts of May. Then the right-hander was removed from Wednesday's win at Toronto in the ninth inning after shaking his arm following a pitch.
Numbness and tingling were shooting down Putz's prized right arm. Doctors told Putz that was caused by swelling against a nerve in his elbow.
But at the time, the sensation caused the 31-year-old to think the three words pitchers fear most: Tommy John surgery.
"My fingers went numb ... I went into it thinking the worst," he said. "Everyone I have talked to who has had Tommy John, they said the first thing they felt was the numbness in the fingers and that shooting pain. So when I had that, yesterday was miserable -- until we got the [MRI] results. Knowing it's not that is a big relief."
Putz had an MRI exam Thursday, and team physician Dr. Edward Khalfayan's diagnosis was triceps tendon inflammation and an irritated ulnar nerve. Putz is to refrain from pitching this weekend and will be reevaluated on Monday. Putz said he still had "throbbing" soreness on Friday.
