Jose Fernandez‘s fantastic 2014 campaign may be coming to a close prematurely.
The Miami Marlins expect Fernandez to need season-ending elbow surgery, according to multiple reports.
After an off night Friday, in which he gave up six runs to the San Diego Padres, it was reported Fernandez was going to be placed on the disabled list. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel indicated the injury was arm-related, and the hurler would undergo an MRI on his pitching arm.
A second MRI “wasn’t promising,” according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, and signs point to a right elbow sprain. Tommy Josh surgery is considered highly likely.
Source: #Marlins anticipate Fernandez will require season-ending elbow surgery.
— Juan C. Rodriguez (@JCRMarlinsbeat) May 13, 2014
Source says that #Marlins‘ Fernandez just had second MRI and adds, “This isn’t promising.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 12, 2014
Fernandez is the latest in a long line of pitchers who have been diagnosed with torn elbow ligaments early on this season and will require Tommy John surgery. Since the start of spring training, Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy and Cory Gearrin of the Braves; Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks; Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin of the Athletics, Ivan Nova of the Yankees; Josh Johnson of the Padres; Bobby Parnell of the Mets; Luke Hochevar of the Royals; Bruce Rondon of the Tigers; and Pirates top prospect Jameson Taillon have all suffered the same fate.
According to CBS Sports, Fernandez’s injury is considered “worrisome.”
Fernandez is said to have experienced discomfort in at least the last start, a rare bad outing when he allowed six runs (five earned) in five innings at San Diego in a 10-1 defeat to the Padres. Fernandez was apparently trying to tough it out, but upon revealing his discomfort was advised to be examined in Los Angeles on Monday.
Another potential sign of trouble was dipping velocity in his last start or two.
Fernandez, 21, is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in eight starts this season, and leads baseball with 70 strikeouts. He’s coming off a 2013 campaign in which he finished 12-6 with a league-best .182 opponents’ batting average and a 2.19 ERA, which was second only to Clayton Kershaw.
The silvering lining: because Fernandez is so young, he could return to the majors some time in the 2015 season at 22 years old.
