Phillies lefty Mario Hollands appears likely to require season-ending surgery on his left elbow after suffering a torn common flexor tendon, MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki reports. That is the same injury that has sidelined teammate Cliff Lee, and surgery would almost certainly cost Hollands the season.
As with Lee, Hollands has experienced a setback following an attempt at resting an rehabbing through the injury. As a result, team physician Michael Ciccotti has recommended surgery. While Hollands is awaiting the results of a second opinion from orthopedist James Andrews, he says that he is leaning towards surgery.
“I wanted to do the PRP and rest because I wanted to help the team this year. I wanted to play,” Hollands said. “That’s still in my head because I want to play so bad, but I am a little worried because it’s the second time so I don’t know if rest or PRP will be the only solution. So surgery, I’m thinking about it pretty hard.”
The 26-year-old debuted with Philadelphia last year, throwing 47 innings and posting a 4.40 ERA with 6.7 K/9 against 4.0 BB/9. He had figured to step in as the club’s second lefty behind Jake Diekman. Now, Rule 5 choice Andy Oliver figures to have an inside track on a pen slot.
