On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays announced that pitcher Matt Springs has been placed on the 10-day injured list and will be consulting with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who specializes in Tommy John surgery.
Springs, a right-handed pitcher, had been struggling with elbow pain since the beginning of the season. After an MRI revealed a tear in his elbow ligament, the team decided to place him on the injured list and schedule a consultation with Dr. Andrews.
Tommy John surgery, also known as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, is a procedure used to repair a torn elbow ligament. It is named after the first professional baseball player to undergo the surgery, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John.
The surgery involves replacing the damaged UCL with a tendon from elsewhere in the body, usually from the forearm or hamstring. The tendon is then attached to the bone with screws and anchors. The procedure typically requires a recovery period of 12-18 months.
Springs, who has been with the Rays since 2017, is no stranger to Tommy John surgery. He underwent the procedure in 2012 while playing for the Washington Nationals. After a successful recovery, he returned to the mound in 2013 and has been pitching ever since.
The Rays have yet to make a decision on whether or not Springs will undergo Tommy John surgery. However, if he does decide to go through with it, he will likely miss the remainder of the season.
In the meantime, the Rays have called up right-handed pitcher Ryan Weber from Triple-A Durham to take Springs’ place on the roster. Weber has made two appearances in the majors this season and has a 3.86 ERA in 11 starts for Durham.
It remains to be seen what decision Matt Springs will make regarding his future. However, whatever he decides, it is clear that he will have the full support of his teammates and coaches as he looks to make a full recovery.
