tough break for Tollberg.....
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PADRES REPORT
Tollberg likely out for the season
By Tom Krasovic
STAFF WRITER
June 1, 2002
Pitcher Brian Tollberg has a torn elbow ligament that probably will require reconstructive surgery that would sideline him until next season.
Team doctor Jan Fronek reviewed an MRI yesterday and said he told Tollberg reconstructive surgery is an option. The procedure, known as "Tommy John surgery," involves transplanting a tendon from the forearm. Recovery time ranges from nine to 18 months, Fronek said.
Tollberg, 29, clutched his elbow during Wednesday's game after spinning a hanging curveball to the Rockies' Todd Zeile.
In May 1999, a sprained elbow sidelined Tollberg for more than two months. Fronek said the current ligament damage "represents a more significant problem."
Tollberg would be the third Padres pitcher in less than a year to have Tommy John surgery. Kevin Walker and Adam Eaton had reconstructive elbow surgery in August.
Cortisone for Burroughs
To relieve soreness in his throwing shoulder, third baseman Sean Burroughs yesterday received the first cortisone shot of his professional career. Burroughs also had a cyst drained near his rotator cuff.
Fronek said a contrast MRI showed Burroughs has a small tear in shoulder cartilage but that he's "pretty optimistic" Burroughs can return without surgery within three weeks.
Myers returns
To fill Phil Nevin's roster spot, the Padres summoned right-handed reliever Rodney Myers from Class AAA Portland. Myers is more acclimated to pitching than last season, when he was coming off surgery to a knee and his pitching shoulder.
"In my mind, I thought I was ready, but obviously the way I threw, I wasn't," Myers said.
Myers figures this could be his last go at the big leagues. "I'm too old to be playing games and going back and forth to the minor leagues," he said. "I'll be 33 (this month) and with a possibility of contraction and teams looking to go younger, if I don't stick this time, I'll probably be looking for another job."
Notes
Julius Matos also was promoted from Class AAA. Matos, 27, said his best position probably is shortstop but that he'll enjoy playing any spot. "I just want to fill a hole until the big guns get back," said Matos, a 16th-round draft choice of Cleveland who played for the Thunder Bay (Ontario) Whiskey Jacks and the Sioux City (Iowa) Explorers in the independent Northern League.
What's it like being a Padres doctor these days? "It's been an unusual week, a very unusual week," said Fronek. Monday, the medical staff cleared Nevin, who'd been sidelined 14 games by an elbow sprain. Tuesday, doctors repaired the shoulder of reliever Jose Nu?ez, who'll be sidelined until next season. Wednesday, Tollberg and Nevin went down. Yesterday, Burroughs' shoulder required draining.
Fronek said Nevin's fracture, near the top of the humerus, "was not very common."
Nevin is wearing a sling to support his left arm. Medical staff prohibited him from jogging but cleared him for riding a stationary bike.
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PADRES REPORT
Tollberg likely out for the season
By Tom Krasovic
STAFF WRITER
June 1, 2002
Pitcher Brian Tollberg has a torn elbow ligament that probably will require reconstructive surgery that would sideline him until next season.
Team doctor Jan Fronek reviewed an MRI yesterday and said he told Tollberg reconstructive surgery is an option. The procedure, known as "Tommy John surgery," involves transplanting a tendon from the forearm. Recovery time ranges from nine to 18 months, Fronek said.
Tollberg, 29, clutched his elbow during Wednesday's game after spinning a hanging curveball to the Rockies' Todd Zeile.
In May 1999, a sprained elbow sidelined Tollberg for more than two months. Fronek said the current ligament damage "represents a more significant problem."
Tollberg would be the third Padres pitcher in less than a year to have Tommy John surgery. Kevin Walker and Adam Eaton had reconstructive elbow surgery in August.
Cortisone for Burroughs
To relieve soreness in his throwing shoulder, third baseman Sean Burroughs yesterday received the first cortisone shot of his professional career. Burroughs also had a cyst drained near his rotator cuff.
Fronek said a contrast MRI showed Burroughs has a small tear in shoulder cartilage but that he's "pretty optimistic" Burroughs can return without surgery within three weeks.
Myers returns
To fill Phil Nevin's roster spot, the Padres summoned right-handed reliever Rodney Myers from Class AAA Portland. Myers is more acclimated to pitching than last season, when he was coming off surgery to a knee and his pitching shoulder.
"In my mind, I thought I was ready, but obviously the way I threw, I wasn't," Myers said.
Myers figures this could be his last go at the big leagues. "I'm too old to be playing games and going back and forth to the minor leagues," he said. "I'll be 33 (this month) and with a possibility of contraction and teams looking to go younger, if I don't stick this time, I'll probably be looking for another job."
Notes
Julius Matos also was promoted from Class AAA. Matos, 27, said his best position probably is shortstop but that he'll enjoy playing any spot. "I just want to fill a hole until the big guns get back," said Matos, a 16th-round draft choice of Cleveland who played for the Thunder Bay (Ontario) Whiskey Jacks and the Sioux City (Iowa) Explorers in the independent Northern League.
What's it like being a Padres doctor these days? "It's been an unusual week, a very unusual week," said Fronek. Monday, the medical staff cleared Nevin, who'd been sidelined 14 games by an elbow sprain. Tuesday, doctors repaired the shoulder of reliever Jose Nu?ez, who'll be sidelined until next season. Wednesday, Tollberg and Nevin went down. Yesterday, Burroughs' shoulder required draining.
Fronek said Nevin's fracture, near the top of the humerus, "was not very common."
Nevin is wearing a sling to support his left arm. Medical staff prohibited him from jogging but cleared him for riding a stationary bike.
