Lewis Thorpe: UCL Sprain

[Seth Stohs]

Mike Berardino tweeted that Brad Steil informed him that Thorpe has a sprained UCL in his left elbow. He will rehab in instructs. 

 

This isn't devastating news quite yet. 

 

It's just been a crazy year for injuries to top prospects.

 

Last week when I heard that Thorpe wasn't just shut down due to innings, I was really hoping that it was some bone chips or something like that rather than the UCL... Uggh!

[diehardtwinsfan]

Oh dear. Hope he doesn't have to go under the knife... Really hope it doesn't take a full season for them to figure it out. A sprain is a partial tear, correct?

[jokin]

Oh dear. Hope he doesn't have to go under the knife... Really hope it doesn't take a full season for them to figure it out. A sprain is a partial tear, correct?

 

He's still only 18.  If his growth plates are still open, this may only be a case of "Little League Elbow", which can be remedied with some rest and strength training.

[Platoon]

Would it help to slay the fatted calf as an offering to whoever is in charge of baseball injuries? Or maybe put up a statue at TF in his\her honor? Maybe next to Herbie?

[B Richard]

Would it help to slay the fatted calf as an offering to whoever is in charge of baseball injuries? 

 

I nominate Rick Anderson to be the offering

[tobi0040]

In the pioneer press article confirming a UCL sprain, Brad Steil gets my nomination for quote of the year "I think he will be fine".

 

I mean, when has a UCL sprain ever turned into a major surgery or time away?  And the Twins are typically spot on with an injury prognosis, especially right away.

 

The bright side is Gardy is not there telling him he just needs to tough it out (Scott Baker)

 

http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_26500597/twins-pitching-prospect-lewis-thorpe-injures-elbow

[gunnarthor]

He's still only 18.  If his growth plates are still open, this may only be a case of "Little League Elbow", which can be remedied with some rest and strength training.

I choose to believe you.

[jokin]

I choose to believe you.

 

I hope I'm on to something, but I gotta admit it's just a fact-based hunch and hope.  But isn't the Twins luck bound to change back in the other direction regarding injuries to top prospects?  Maybe this is the start.

[tobi0040]

I hope I'm on to something, but I gotta admit it's just a fact-based hunch and hope.  But isn't the Twins luck bound to change back in the other direction regarding injuries to top prospects?  Maybe this is the start.

Damn. Growth plates actually sounded legit.

[ashbury]

He's still only 18.  If his growth plates are still open, this may only be a case of "Little League Elbow"

This is why players are forbidden to throw breaking pitches until high-A.

[kab21]

And Thorpe moves into the inevitable TJ surgery category for me.  Perhaps it doesn't happen but it's not the end of the world if it does.  Doesn't change much long term about him as a prospect other than push him back a year+.

[Paul Pleiss]

Doesn't change much long term about him as a prospect other than push him back a year+.

 

While most players come back from TJ (80%) some don't come back at the level they were at before, and some don't come back at all. TJ is getting better and better with technology and sports medicine, but it's not just a 1-year set back.

 

Hopefully he's not headed that direction.

[markos]

Personally, I'm more concerned about Meyer and Stewart's bum shoulders than I am with Thorpe's bum elbow. It is still unfortunate, but even the worst-case has a high rate of recovery. Shoulder injuries can quickly end careers.

[Mike Sixel]

The stats show that players come back weaker after surgery. The myth they come back stronger comes from them being bad/weak/slow for starts before being diagnosed. So, ya, surgery is bad (though better than being injured).

[kab21]

there's no doubt that it's bad to need TJ surgery but he is still a prospect in A ball.  That in itself makes him a long shot.  Needing TJ surgery (if) doesn't change much overall. 

 

And shoulders are the really scary thing.  There is an endless list of post TJ pitchers that have had great careers.  Shoulders are something that seem to never go away and lead to more problems later.

[tobi0040]

I agree that I would rather see TJ than a shoulder injury, but I don't buy the notion that TJ in young player does not change much. 

 

Most starters lose velocity.  In this case Thorpe going from 94-95 to 92-93 reduces the odds he becomes a factor for the Twins, IMO.  He still can for sure. 

[kab21]

It doesn't change much because he's already a longshot because of how young and as far away he is.  After (a possible) TJ surgery he's still a longshot.

[biggentleben]

Oh dear. Hope he doesn't have to go under the knife... Really hope it doesn't take a full season for them to figure it out. A sprain is a partial tear, correct?

 

Every sprain or strain is technically a tear, if even a minor one.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I agree that I would rather see TJ than a shoulder injury, but I don't buy the notion that TJ in young player does not change much. 

 

Most starters lose velocity.  In this case Thorpe going from 94-95 to 92-93 reduces the odds he becomes a factor for the Twins, IMO.  He still can for sure.

I've read that a lot of guys come back stronger... I'm guessing it falls in a 'it depends' type situation. That said, I'd rather him go through it younger than older. He's more likely to bounce back better at a younger age... Also, he's still at an age where it may pick up velocity, so it could end up being a wash if it takes something away from him. I'm holding out hope.