Jon Garland Could Miss Season
By Editorial Staff
Reports are surfacing that Dodgers starter Jon Garland may not pitch again this season. Garland has been out since June 1st with what’s been called shoulder inflammation.
Garland received a second opinion on his shoulder yesterday, meeting with Dodgers’ team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum. The sit-down was supposed to determine if Garland would require season-ending surgery.
Sources are saying that even if the right hander doesn’t elect the procedure, he is still unlikely to pitch for the Dodgers again in 2011. LA has yet to confirm anything regarding Garland or his injury.
"“Jon has a complicated shoulder, and we are trying to figure out the best thing to do for him both long-term and short-term,” Dodgers medical-services director Stan Conte said."
This is certainly not what the Dodgers expected to be dealing with when they signed Garland to a $5 million contract last November. Before this season, the 31 year old had never landed on the disabled list over his 11 years in the league.
The shoulder has been a recurring issue over the month of June. Soon after Garland was placed on the DL, MLB.com speculated that he may be dealing with more than just simple inflammation, instead thinking that perhaps Garland had a tear in his labrum or rotator cuff.
Garland has been replaced in the Dodgers starting rotation by top prospect Rubby De La Rosa. The 22 year old struggled over his first 4 starts with the club, but turned in his best effort of the season Wednesday when he held the Twins to 1 earned run over 7 innings.
For more on the Dodgers, be sure to check out Lasorda’s Lair.