Bollinger: Perkins has elbow inflammation

MLB.com's Twins beat writer Rhett Bollinger reports that Glen Perkins will not travel with the team to New York as he remained in the Twin Cities to receive an MRI for left forearm inflammation. Perkins was coming off two outings in which his command of his fastball and slider were seriously lacking despite fairly good velocity -- a common sign that there may be issues within the elbow. The Twins bullpen is already gruel thin as it is however now they may be without one of baseball's best relief arms in 2011.

If Perkins is placed on the DL, what moves do you think the Twins should make?

Why the rush to sign him in ST?

What is going on with pitchers going down like flies again? This training staff is supposed to be held accountable.

a couple of things about this:

a. he already had the MRI
b. (and I already had this discussion with a couple of folks blessed with "access" but either they don't get it, or they don't want to question) MRI's cannot "reveal inflammation". They can show structural changes (like tears, fractures, foreign bodies, connective tissue build up, cysts, tumors, etc etc.) You cannot see "inflammation" unless there is a structural change that accompanies it, and "inflammation" is a symptom, not a cause.
c. "forearm" is really vague

So, unfortunately, if the MRI came out positive, there must be something wrong with Perkins, which the Twins' witch doctors are sugarcoating. I am just sick of all that misinformation the Twins are passing around...

Ryan has talked about accountability when he assumed the interim position in November. He better walk the talk or step down.

Quote:

---

(and I already had this discussion with a couple of folks blessed with "access" but either they don't get it, or they don't want to question) MRI's cannot "reveal inflammation". They can show structural changes (like tears, fractures, foreign bodies, connective tissue build up, cysts, tumors, etc etc.) You cannot see "inflammation" unless there is a structural change that accompanies it, and "inflammation" is a symptom, not a cause.

---

Right. He had inflammation of his forearm/elbow area and they took an MRI. We'll let that slip by since it was on the Twitters and not in one of his articles.

It should also be noted that LaVelle's write-up says that the MRI "confirmed the issue." It sounds like they already know the extent of the damage but have not released it to the media.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Parker Hageman

It should also be noted that LaVelle's write-up says that the MRI "confirmed the issue." It sounds like they already know the extent of the damage but have not released it to the media.

---

I re-read La Velle's thing. It actually seems to imply that the MRI confirmed the "tenderness", since he defined the issue as "tenderness". :)

I like the idea of leaving Scott Diamond alone to continue getting starts.
It's a tough call.
Go ahead and bring up Robertson for awhile.

Don't really need a southpaw to replace him, with Deunsing and maloney already in the pen. They'll probably just have Marquis take Perkins roster spot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mudcat14

Don't really need a southpaw to replace him, with Deunsing and maloney already in the pen. They'll probably just have Marquis take Perkins roster spot.

---

very true. I was thinking Marquis had already been added. He'll start on Wednesday, no move necessary.
If Perkins is down for awhile, there will be too many cooks in the kitchen. Does Swarzak go to Rochester? Does Manship or Robertson get the call?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neinstein

Does Swarzak go to Rochester? Does Manship or Robertson get the call?

---

Swarzak's out of options, and pitching pretty well, he's not going anywhere. Manship has been great. Robertson's been alright too.

Mackey said something interesting in his later writeup. He said it is a nerve issue. That can be interesting in a couple ways because nerve issues (unless there is something degenerative going on) usually are caused by other sorts of things

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thrylos98

a couple of things about this:

a. he already had the MRI
b. (and I already had this discussion with a couple of folks blessed with "access" but either they don't get it, or they don't want to question) MRI's cannot "reveal inflammation". They can show structural changes (like tears, fractures, foreign bodies, connective tissue build up, cysts, tumors, etc etc.) You cannot see "inflammation" unless there is a structural change that accompanies it, and "inflammation" is a symptom, not a cause.
c. "forearm" is really vague

So, unfortunately, if the MRI came out positive, there must be something wrong with Perkins, which the Twins' witch doctors are sugarcoating. I am just sick of all that misinformation the Twins are passing around...

Ryan has talked about accountability when he assumed the interim position in November. He better walk the talk or step down.

---

I talked to my wife about it, who happens to be a medical student graduating in a month. She says you are wrong. MRI's can show inflammation quite well if set up properly, and I'm sure the Twins have an MRI setup optimized for swelling and inflammation.

My guess is "confirming the issue" confirmed that it's inflammation and not a torn tendon/ligament or bone issue.