*bangs head against wall*

Still, few will see the update, where Dr. Yocum corrects the original (erroneous) report. That is unfortunate.

AID, Craig, not “aide.”

“I would like to correct the misimpression generated from today’s L.A. Times article, that I have not been a participant in discussions with the Washington Nationals regarding the recovery strategy for pitcher Stephen Strasburg. In fact, I have been contacted repeatedly and have had numerous discussions with the Nationals GM Mike Rizzo and the team’s medical personnel, as recently as mid-August. While the final decision was up to the team, as is standard practice, I was supportive of their decision and am comfortable that my medical advice was responsibly considered.”

Dr. Yokum repeatedly was consulted by the Washington Nationals GM, Mike Rizzo, as recently as mid-August, about shutting down Stephen Strasburg. Of course, Dr. Yokum is not going to give an exact number of innings when Strasburg should be shut down. As Dr. Yokum said, that is a team decision, but, in general, Dr. Yokum is supportive of what the Nationals did, and Dr. Yokum, medically supports the Nationals decision. How many times does this have to be said. There is no story here. You are trying to get one, when there is not one. This is typical sensationalism journalism. I am sick of it. It’s one reason people do not give blogs credence nor watch television news and television sports commentators; they are sensationalism promoters, instead of news reporters.

I was actually going to pick another one, but that guy had the catchiest URL

The Mets are shutting down Harvey at 170 innings. There is talk about the Cubs shutting down Samardjza. The Nationals shutting down Strasburg is on that same plan. He has never pitched more than 120 innings in a season so they gradually build up his arm. I don’t understand why so many people have latched on to the TJ surgery aspect and not the fact that he has no career base for innings at this stage. The only thing the TJ surgery really has to do with it is it kept him from building that base of innings in his rookie season and last year.

160 innings. 6 innings per outing = 26.6 (call it 27) starts. Pitching once every 5th GAME (not DAY) = 135 games. Last I checked, they play 162. That means they’d NEVER have Strasburg for pennant chase, let alone the post-season. Eventually, Rizzo will wise up. Either that, or don’t start him until, what, July?

And the lede: Despite a lack of conclusive medical studies, Dr. Lewis Yokum respects Mike Rizzo’s decision… etc., etc.

But that slant wouldn’t support your position, Craig, would it? Seriously, you should consider recusing yourself from Strasburg articles for about a year.

Yokum just did TJ on another Nats pitcher, Lucas Giolito, who is not a Boras client. Don’t you think (speculation, of course!) that if he didn’t approve of Rizzo’s program he would say, you are damaging my patients’ careers with over-caution, find another surgeon.

Also, there is NO evidence AT ALL to suggest Strasburg was misled by Rizzo. Rizzo said in February he would follow the Zimmermann program. Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg live in the same apartment building, and have discussed their situation. Zimmermann talked to him about what was going to happen and how he (JZ) felt, with the difference that it was not in a pennant race. If Strasburg was “misled” is was by his own wishful thinking, thinking that it might not happen. That is very human, everyone hopes against hope that some dreaded–but certain–future event somehow won’t happen.

The noise in DC is beginning to sound like a Cheezitz commerial: LA LALA CAN’T HEAR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

The decision was not just about medicine. It’s also about the ability of someone to perform on a Major League team. The former is the province of Dr. Yocum, Dr. Andrews, and others with vast experience in the care and treatment of orthopedic injuries. The latter is the province of Mike Rizzo and other scouts and personnel types with vast experience in evaluating baseball talent. In the end, the responsibility rested not with the doctor, but the personnel type.

Yes, the medical evidence is lacking. As Dr. Yocum suggested, the Zimmermann and Strasburg rehabs may well become the precedents. Certainly, they should spark research that will provide insights on rehabbing from TJS. Yes, Mike Rizzo made, and is responsiblefor, the decision. Duh.

Oh in case you are interested since 2000 there have been 4 WS-MVP’s that have been pitchers.

no hard data to support that capping his innings at a random number will in fact help or hurt his career

But what if there’s data to show that Strasburg was wearing down, that he might be getting tired, and then we can show studies that “prove” that pitching tired has a direct increase on injuries. Would that be enough?