Spring Headlines: Shoulder injury may end Bronson Arroyo’s career
Veteran right-hander Bronson Arroyo was hoping to make a comeback with the Washington Nationals this spring. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.
According to MLB Network’s Peter Gammons, Arroyo was diagnosed with an 80 percent tear of the labrum in his right shoulder on Wednesday. The injury will end his season, and based on previous comments is expected to end his career as well.
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Earlier in camp, Arroyo acknowledged that another injury would likely spell the end for him, telling the New York Times Tyler Kepner, “I’m proud of what I’ve done in this game, man. If I don’t make it out of this camp and this arm just won’t go, I’m completely satisfied with what I’ve done in the game.”
Arroyo has not appeared in MLB since 2014, when he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery and missed the second half of the season. Prior to that, Arroyo had been among baseball’s most durable starting pitchers. In fact, from 2005-2013, Arroyo made at least 32 starts and logged at least 199 innings in each season. That type of durability is almost unheard of in baseball today, but the workload was bound to catch up to Arroyo eventually.
If this is the end, Arroyo would walk away with 145 wins spread out over 15 seasons. He appeared in 405 games, 369 of which were starts, and pitched 2,364.2 innings. He always struggled with the long ball, allowing a robust 46 home runs in 2011. But the Cincinnati Reds always relied on him to eat up innings, and Arroyo always obliged. That’s a pretty cool thing to hang his hat on.
OTHER SPRING HEADLINES
Final decision: Yasiel Puig will not be suspended after being investigated under the league’s new domestic violence policy. [The Stew]
Released: After placing Ruben Tejada on waivers Tuesday, the Mets officially released the veteran shortstop on Wednesday. [@NYPost_Mets]
Coming back: Anibal Sanchez will return to the Tigers rotation on Monday after dealing with right triceps inflammation and battling bronchitis. [@JonHeyman]
Season preview: Can the Tigers make a postseason run? [The Stew]
Banged up: Denard Span left Wednesday’s Cactus League game after jamming his right shoulder on a diving attempt. Bruce Bochy acknowledged concern about the severity. [@extrabaggs]
He’s still got it: Barry Bonds reportedly schooled the Marlins in a Home Run derby. [The Stew]
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
