Los Angeles Angels: Time for concern with Griffin Canning’s elbow
By David Hill
The Los Angeles Angels received some ominous news on Thursday, as an MRI showed “chronic changes” to Griffin Canning’s elbow.
As the Los Angeles Angels look to return to the postseason, a lot of pressure will be placed upon their pitching staff. While the Angels were involved in contract talks with numerous top pitching free agents, they managed to sign only Julio Teheran and trade for Dylan Bundy. Even another potential trade, the acquisition of Ross Stripling, came up short.
With those higher expectations, the Angels needed Griffin Canning to take another step forward, especially in the early months. Instead, they received bad news on Thursday, as an MRI showed “chronic changes” to his elbow.
Canning said he has another doctor appointment tomorrow and he’ll know more then. As of now he believes it’s “just normal wear and tear.” He said he didn’t feel anything during the game, but it tightened up afterward. He said it’s the same as last August.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) February 28, 2020
On the positive side, the MRI did not show any tearing of his UCL, keeping him from going under the knife. However, his return to the mound does not have a time table, as the Angels will need to further evaluate his elbow. Part of that evaluation will take place today, as Griffin is set to throw before being examined by team doctors.
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Although his rookie campaign was cut short by those elbow issues, Canning showed tremendous promise. He had posted a 4.58 ERA along with a respectable 1.218 WHiP, striking out 96 batters with 30 walks in his 90.1 innings of work. With Shohei Ohtani‘s return to the mound likely coming in mid-May, Canning was set to be the nominal staff ace.
These injuries are certainly nothing new for the Angels pitching staff. Last year, Los Angeles became the first team in 100 years not to have a single starter make at least 20 starts over the course of the season. However, the possible loss of Canning is a blow to the Angels’ hopes.
At this point, the Angels have to hope that these issues with Canning’s elbow are not major. If this is something that he can pitch through without causing any additional damage, they could look to manage his workload with additional rest, or removing him earlier in potential blowouts. But they need to have additional data to work with first.
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Griffin Canning is a key part of the Los Angeles Angels playoff hopes this season. However, those hopes may ride on what his elbow looks like after throwing on Saturday.