Stephen Strasburg will require Tommy John Surgery
The Washington Nationals have revealed today that their prized pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg has a significant tear in his ulnar collateral ligament.
The Nationals announced the news on Friday morning after they recieved the results of a second MRI which was carried out earlier in the week. Strasburg was initially diagnosed with a strained tendon in his right forearm but following the second MRI the injury has now been diagnosed as much more serious than that.
Strasburg is scheduled to see Dr. Lewis Yocum and will most likely require Tommy John Surgery to repair the problem. If he does need the surgery last year's overall No.1 draft pick could be out for up to 18 months and will definitely miss all of the 2011 season.
The news is a big blow to the Nationals organisation who gave the rookie a record $15.1 million contract last year. But the Nationals will hold hope from the fact that players return from the procedure as good, if not better, than they were before. Chris Carpenter, Ryan Dempster and Tim Hudson have all had the surgery and have managed to come back and pitch productively in the major leagues.
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