Injury Updates: Skaggs, Sanchez and Soria

Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Yet another pitcher has been added to the list of players who have been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. This time it is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim right-hander Tyler Skaggs. Like almost every player before him, with the exception of the New York Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka who chose to attempt rehabilitation before possibly having to opt for surgery, Skaggs will undergo Tommy John surgery. The date for the surgery has not yet been set.

Skaggs says he chose surgery over rehabilitation because it was better for his career. He has also chosen to not try and push the recovery time. The recovery period from Tommy John surgery can be anywhere from 12-18 months. Instead of trying to return late next season Skaggs is going to take the full 18-months to recover fully and return to baseball fresh and ready for the 2016 season.

The 23-year old is smart in attacking his recovery in this way. Many pitchers end up getting re-injured and having to have a second surgery thus missing more baseball.. At such a young age, he might be able to circumvent a second injury. Missing a little more baseball now can save him time in the future.

Skaggs was injured during a start on July 31. He was in the midst of pitching a no-hitter when he had to leave the game in the fifth inning. Skaggs was 5-5 with 4.30 ERA in 18 starts this season with the Angels. He was transferred Sunday from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

The Angels are currently sitting in second place in the American League West, four games behind the Oakland Athletics who are leading the Majors with a record of 74-45.