Article: It's Official: Sano to have Tommy John Surgery

[twinsnorth49]

There's a big difference between a sore elbow and a partially torn UCL. Yeah, I'd say any 3B with a significant UCL tear should get it taken care of at or near the end of the year.

 

Based on the interview with Miguel, he was surprised by the "decision" and didn't appear to have much of a say in the matter. This kid has been directed by handlers for most of his life, so I don't think he makes many decisions about his future yet.

 

Furthermore, Antony made an interesting comment about how he didn't injure it any worse, it just hasn't gotten any better. So basically, the Twins were not going to put that elbow in the show. I wonder if they told Miguel that last year?

 

Well the hope was it would get better and if it did he would be playing this season and likely be up with the Twins, that didn't work out , that's the way it goes sometimes. Again,, not sure how many more times it can be stated, they followed the advice of the leading surgeon in the field, how do you question that?

 

Yes there is a big difference between a sore elbow and a UCL tear , significant is up for debate. What we have essentially no data on is how many times a position player has been advised not to have surgery, instead opting for rest and having it work out positively. The Twins, the surgeon and possibly Sano and his agent wanted to avoid surgery, I don't see how anyone is at fault here.

[BHtwins]

Do we have a source that Andrews looked at it and recommended that rest would be the right direction?

 

What Ive seen today suggests that there has been absolutely no new injury and no change in the MRI from September.

 

Im wondering...

[Top Gun]

Count your chickens before they hatch. a hour early and a day late, it's the Twins way.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Do we have a source that Andrews looked at it and recommended that rest would be the right direction?

 

What Ive seen today suggests that there has been absolutely no new injury and no change in the MRI from September.

 

Im wondering...

 

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20131107&content_id=63767074&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb

 

Although the UCL is often treated with Tommy John surgery, the Twins medical staff and Dr. James Andrews -- who examined Sano in Alabama -- are in agreement that Sano will not require an operation, MLB.com reported.

[OldManWinter]

Here is a possible consequence of orthopaedic surgery: A person I know developed a Staff Infection after a normal orthopaedic procedure at a reputable facility. It became serious enough for him to be admitted to the ER and hospital for maybe ten days. He was a very sick boy. There were people in his family that belueved he may have been on the threshold of the end of his life. With super strong meds, he has gotten back home now but was informed he will take an antibiotic the rest of his life. That is but one example of surgical risk.

[JB_Iowa]

• LaVelle E. Neal III ‏@LaVelleNeal 5m
  UPDATE: Miguel Sano's surgery will take place in the next 10-14 days and will be performed by Dr. David Altchek in New York.
   
   
   
   
  
  • LaVelle E. Neal III ‏@LaVelleNeal 5m
    Altchek has done Tommy John surgeries on Kyle Gibson, Scott Baker and Joe Nathan.
     
     
    

   

   

[Wyorev]

When all is said and done, considering that Sano saw the leading doctor in the field, and followed his advice... if you are going to criticize the Twinkies on this one, you should probably look into your own dark heart, and wonder about regaining perspective.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Other leading candidates:

 

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1ihmtis4y1r8y5ma.png

http://cdn-media.hollywood.com/images/l/literaldoctor.jpg

http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120509073411/simpsons/images/5/5e/Dr._Riviera.png

[TheLeviathan]

When all is said and done, considering that Sano saw the leading doctor in the field, and followed his advice... if you are going to criticize the Twinkies on this one, you should probably look into your own dark heart, and wonder about regaining perspective.

 

I think for many it's frustration out of what feels like a constant series of these sorts of things. I don't think the Twins are worthy of criticism here, but the frequency of these injuries has become frustrating whether it be incompetence or bad luck.

[howieramone1406390264]

This is why you can't wait for all your prospects to line up and be perfect. This is why you also do other things to get good. I just hope they don't say "no need to worry about 2015 now".....

 

Our favorite team never panics, so you will never hear it from them. I would guess you will hear that sentiment attributed to them by members, but it will never hold up under close scrutiny. This not the first time an outstanding prospect has been injured and it's a long time until opening day 2015.

[twinsfan34]

The only case where "time" could have been saved was back in late July last year (while he was a month into time at New Britian)...when he initially had that 'twinge' and just had surgery...but he played through it. At that point, if he had surgery, the most they could have hoped for was a few ABs at the end of the 2014. So it's a 'year' either way...better now...than Mid-July and he misses part of the season next year. It's still on the 'leading' edge of the season and hopefully this will help his hitting and defense that were somewhat in question at New Britian.

 

In other news...the Twins look great for the 2nd straight game. Pretty patient in working 0-2 counts to 3-2 and walks. Vargas had some nice line drives, Parmalee's Homer...

 

Pinto is a hitter...Radcliffe said he'll stay with the team and possibly DH even if he's not catching. "He's a hitter...he barrels the ball well."

 

Buxton is in the game now...just caught a fly to center...will leadoff the bottom half of the inning.

[howeda7]

The Twin's luck blows. Even when they have nice things (Mauer, Sano) they get hurt and have the beginning of their careers F'd up. That said, this would have been far worse a year from now. It's shocking that once again 'rest and rehab' failed the Twins in epic fashion. That never happens.

[howeda7]

Well by that logic every 3rd baseman who ever had a sore elbow should just opt for TJ to avoid the inevitable.

 

The choice was obviously made to avoid what a leading surgeon felt might have been unnecessary surgery, additionally even if surgery was discussed as a possible option at the time we have no idea whether Sano wanted to commit to that. If that was indeed the case I have a hard time criticizing the Twins for not forcing him to undergo invasive surgery for the sake of putting butts in the seats.

 

From what they are saying, TJ was never seriously considered until mid-November. If he'd had it then, he almost certainly wouldn't have seen MLB in 2014. The only difference is he might have gotten 1-2 months in a AA/AAA. That part is not a tragedy.

[twinsfan34]

From what they are saying, TJ was never seriously considered until mid-November. If he'd had it then, he almost certainly wouldn't have seen MLB in 2014. The only difference is he might have gotten 1-2 months in a AA/AAA. That part is not a tragedy.

 

Yep.

[zchrz]

Its official! time to put Buxton in a bubble wrap suit until he debuts in the majors!

[JustinCB]

Worst thing about this is it's one less reason (out of very few total) to care about watching the Twins THIS season. That said, they weren't going to be any good regardless so it doesn't hurt the team much long term (and maybe helps if he ends up being very good in his late 20's and they get an extra year of control out of him) IMO assuming he comes back from the procedure without any complications. I think it's encouraging the medical staff pulled the trigger rather than delaying the inevitable as they've done numerous times in the past. I was excited to watch him this year, but I'll be even more excited to watch him next year when they have a realistic chance of being decent.

[spoofbonser]

What pisses me off and saddens me about this situation is that if they knew it was partially torn in October (and rest RARELY working) why not have him have surgery then with the possibility of being back in July and definitely August and September? Antony sounds like an idiot in that interview on MLB.com. Eight months would not have lost him the 2014 season! Waiting until March does lose his season! ******* idiots! I know people complain about the coaching staff, but the medical staff needs to go IMO. They are hands-down the worst in the league. Enough is enough.

 

/rant

 

Amen. my sentiment too. Also, they knew about it in October not November.

[spoofbonser]

So you believe the Twins should have ignored the advice of Dr. James Andrews?

 

Again, this makes zero sense. If you go to the guy who's the most highly respected in his field and he tells you to do something, you damned well better take his advice.

 

i'd like to hear it from the horse's mouth, that being Dr. James Andrews. All we have heard is the Twins brass politicing, "well, Andrews said to rehab." Let's get a reporter on the phone with DJA. Bonnes?

[JB_Iowa]

Why would Dr. Andrews even pick up the phone -- let alone violate doctor-patient confidentiality?

[Halsey Hall]

This just bums me out. And Miguel has to feel terrible. It's just sad.

[ashbury]

Let's get a reporter on the phone with DJA. Bonnes?

 

And how do we know who's on the other end of the phone line?

 

Bonnes is in Florida, or will be soon. He needs to drive up to Gulf Breeze. And he needs to drop in unannounced, otherwise the cabal will have time to hire a double to pose as the doctor.

 

For that matter, has anyone double checked with the state medical board that this so-called "doctor" is even licensed to practice, or has a degree?

[Thrylos]

So...best case scenario is winter ball? Full recovery by next spring training?

 

That's middle of the road scenario. Best case would be playing in the GCL (or at any level for that matter) as a DH in August and full recovery by winter ball.

[Brock Beauchamp]

i'd like to hear it from the horse's mouth, that being Dr. James Andrews. All we have heard is the Twins brass politicing, "well, Andrews said to rehab." Let's get a reporter on the phone with DJA. Bonnes?

 

Uh, doctor patient privilege.

[Craig Arko]

i'd like to hear it from the horse's mouth, that being Dr. James Andrews. All we have heard is the Twins brass politicing, "well, Andrews said to rehab." Let's get a reporter on the phone with DJA. Bonnes?

 

Maybe you should call directly. Otherwise it will still be second-hand information.

[Thrylos]

Uh, doctor patient privilege.

 

Not such a thing That's lawer-client privilege and has to do with criminal proceedings

 

HIPAA confidentiality regulations you mean, likely. And those really have to do with diagnosis (i.e. linking a diagnosis to a person) and went out of the window when the Twins publicized Sano's injury (actually all players have that in their contracts regarding injuries, so the Twins or anyone else was not in any sort of violation there.)

 

To your point, Dr. Andrews or any other doctor do not have to publicize their treatment advise to their patients. In this case not because of legal things (as I said, that went out of the window), but because they simply can...

[exrugger9]

Such sad news, for the Twins, the fans, and of course, Miguel. But somewhere deep in Florida, Trevor Plouffe heaves a sigh of relief....

[Brock Beauchamp]

Not such a thing That's lawer-client privilege and has to do with criminal proceedings

 

HIPAA confidentiality regulations you mean, likely. And those really have to do with diagnosis (i.e. linking a diagnosis to a person) and went out of the window when the Twins publicized Sano's injury (actually all players have that in their contracts regarding injuries, so the Twins or anyone else was not in any sort of violation there.)

 

To your point, Dr. Andrews or any other doctor do not have to publicize their treatment advise to their patients. In this case not because of legal things (as I said, that went out of the window), but because they simply can...

 

I didn't mean in the legal sense (my wife's a lawyer so I know the federal government does not observe privilege), I meant in the sense that doctors, by and large, still respect the privilege.

 

But some states respect doctor patient privilege. Hard to say what would apply without looking it up.

 

Anyway, few doctors will talk about their patients and fewer will talk to journalists. Requesting information from the horse's mouth is silly.

[johnnydakota]

still need patients consent without a court order...

[Brock Beauchamp]

still need patients consent without a court order...

 

It's a little tricky because the Twins announced the results. Hard to say what would apply here without being a lawyer.

 

Still, no doctor is going to speak publicly about it.

[Old Twins Cap]

You know it's going to be another mediocre season when Blog commenters are rehashing Twins' management decisions on a 20 year-old kid who put in a decent half-season of AA ball.

 

Long way home people.