FRIDAY: Fortunately, Schafer was able to receive the repair procedure rather than requiring a full ligament replacement, as MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch reports. That leaves him with an approximately seven-month rehab timeline. While he won’t be able to pitch this season regardless, Schafer will have much more time to show he’s back to health before seeking his next opportunity.
TUESDAY: Cardinals left-hander Jordan Schafer, who is in his second season of pitching after opening his career as an outfielder, is headed for elbow surgery, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. It’s not yet clear whether he’ll need Tommy John surgery or the less-invasive “primary repair” procedure (the same operation that former Cardinals righty Seth Maness underwent last August), though either operation would end Schafer’s season.
An MRI taken this weak revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in Schafer’s left elbow, per Goold, and Dr. George Paletta will determine upon cutting into Schafer’s arm which operation he will receive. (As Goold explained in reporting on the primary repair operation earlier this winter, candidates cannot yet be identified until the procedure is underway, as it’s largely dependent on the extent of and location of the tear.)
The 30-year-old Schafer had been attempting to make the Cardinals’ roster as an outfielder/reliever and had pitched 3 2/3 innings this spring in addition to making seven plate appearances. As Goold notes, Schafer making the team was contingent on how well hit pitched. Schafer felt something in his forearm in each of his final two pitching appearances this spring but attempted to pitch through the discomfort in hopes of making the Cardinals’ roster.
Once a well-regarded outfield prospect in the Braves organization, Schafer is a .228/.308/.307 hitter through 1472 plate appearances between Atlanta, Houston and Minnesota. Though he hasn’t hit much in the Majors, Schafer offers well-above-average speed and can play anywhere in the outfield, so adding relief work to his resume would’ve made him an interesting and uniquely versatile reserve piece for the Cards. In 49 1/3 minor league innings with the Dodgers last season, Schafer pitched to a 3.83 ERA with 10.8 K/9 against 3.3 BB/9. Opposing lefties batted just .189/.267/.396 against him in 61 plate appearances.
Another Cardinal hurler needing surgery? What the bleep is going on in St. Louis? Most teams like to lead the league in certain categories but I don’t think being the team with the most pitchers needing surgeries on their pitching arm is one to boast about.
Was just wondering the same. Is it just bad luck and happenstance, or do the Cards as an organization need to take a look at why their young arms don’t seem to be holding up?
Happens in every organization. Part of the game.
I’ve noticed they tend to rush pitching prospects and I find they overwork the players they value. still a great organization however.
Considering Shaeffer isn’t an organizational pitcher and just arrived, I doubt this has much to do with the Cardinals
Agreed. He pitched 3 and 2/3 in a Cardinals uniform.
Well, considering Schaefer and one other sidelined pitcher came over this winter, I’m not sure they are evidence of rushing prospects or overworking pitchers. Reyes and Wacha have been developed in the system, but pitcher injuries seem to be rampant everywhere. I’m not convinced the Cards are outside the norm.
Lol hurler he was never even a pitcher until this year. He has always been always been an outfielder.
Actually, he spent last year pitching in the dodgers organization with pretty respectable numbers. Really think he could have been a very valuable 25th man with his ability to pinchhit, relief pitch, and pinch run.. Hope he makes it back next year. And since he just signed with the Cards this offseason, I don’t think any blame can be laid on the Cards for his misfortune
Here’s what I’ve come up with for Cardinal pitchers that have had Arm injuries or back injuries since Lilliquist has been the pitching coach for the Cardinals since 2011; Chris Carpenter, Jake Westbrook, Jason Motte, Kyle McCellan, Jamie Garcia, Mitchell Boggs, Ryan Franklin, Joe Kelly, Edward Mujica, Fernando Salas, Adam Wainwright, Kohn Axford, John Gast, Tylor Lyons, Seth Maness, Michael Wacha, Lance Lynn, Pat Neshek, Justin Masterson, Marco Gonzales, Mitch Harris, Jordan Walden, Zack Duke, Alex Reyes and Jordan Shaffer.
I’ve commented for 3 years about The Cardinals pitchers elbow injuries being so extreme! May be a coincidence or not, where Dave Duncan was famous to revitalize hurt pitchers, Lilliquist seems to have the opposite reputation. In any case, something is bad wrong with training, over use, weight training, conditioning or coaching to change arm angles just to be changing. Beats me. But the Cardinals seem to lose more pitchers each year than any other club. Don’t give me this stuff “It’s because they are power pitchers!” So was Nolan Ryan, Bob Feller, Bob Gibson and many others.
Not that I don’t believe you but how long of a list are we talking?
To answer your question as to how many Cardinal pitchers have gone down under Lilliquist watch and conditioning since 2011 includes at least these pitchers; Chris Carpenter, Jake Westbrook, Jason Motte, Kyle McCellan, Jamie Garcia, Mitchell Boggs, Ryan Franklin, Joe Kelly, Edward Mujica, Fernando Salas, Adam Wainright, John Axford, John Gast, Tyler Lyons, Seth Maness, Michael Wacha, Lance Lynn, Pat Neshek, Justin Masterson, Marco Gonzalez, Mitch Harris, Jordan Walden, Zack Duke, Alex Reyes and Jordan Schaffer.
you can’t put Schafer , duke, masterson, or axford on the list bc they were either hurt when they got to the club or got hurt within weeks of joining and the pitching coach can’t have that much effect in three or four weeks can they
Feller’s career as a power pitcher ended after his age 29 season. He hung on for a while but wasn’t striking guys out and was hurt all the time. Ryan is, of course, a freak of nature and a total outlier. Gibson was great up until his mid-30s too. There’s a reason those guys are in the Hall, though. Health is a skill.
Thoughts and prayers
Can’t hit, can’t pitch. Poor guy.
Quit with the self pity.
But….. he made it to professional baseball. What were your numbers in professional baseball?
Literally the stupidest argument people use on this site. You should feel stupid for using it. I never claimed that I wanted to play baseball, so I couldn’t give a damn if he made it to the show. What I do know is that he couldn’t hit, his arm is done after a year of pitching.
Sorry I hit a nerve!
Wow, regardless of what level he was at I’m pretty impressed by those numbers considering it was his first year pitching in who knows how long.
It was fun watching him with the braves back in 2012. Didn’t even know he was pitching now until this article
Thats what u get for trying something new
This is why the cardinals can’t have nice things
So you wanted to be a pitcher