David Aardsma could be facing Tommy John surgery
May 10, 2011, 2:58 PM | Updated: 10:59 pm
 David Aardsma |
The Mariners have made the announcement that the MRI results for David Aardsma have revealed a grade two sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in Aardsma’s right elbow.
Aardsma will now visit Dr. Lewis Yocum in California on Thursday for a second opinion.
There are two treatments for a grade two sprain. Rest and rehab or Tommy John surgery. If the diagnosis is confirmed it will be up to Aardsma to make the decision.
With rest and rehab, I am told the success rate can be as high as 70 percent. The problem is if you fall into that 30 percent range you have missed at least two months and then you’re facing a surgery that will most likely have a minimum nine-month recovery period.
Aardsma is in his last year under club control and will be a free agent next year, something that no doubt will factor in to his decision one way or another.
The success rate for surgery is quite high and that is the good news. If Aardsma misses a year he has an excellent chance at coming back with the elbow as good as ever. Still, this is a tough break.
