Angels starters Garrett Richards and Andrew Heaney are receiving mixed results from their stem-cell therapy treatments, MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez reports. It’s ultimately too soon to know whether either or both will require Tommy John surgery, per GM Billy Eppler, but they have progressed somewhat differently to this point.
The right-handed Richards has experienced some “progressive healing” in his UCL, whereas Heaney’s left elbow has not. Richards is set for his next follow-up in six weeks, with Heaney getting looked at sooner, but Gonzalez suggests there’s not much hope that either will return in 2016 even in the best case scenario.
Eppler made clear that the decisions about the TJ procedure will be made before this season ends. That would ensure that the pitchers can undertake a full recovery timeline and return for the 2018 season. Ultimately, per Eppler, the starters will need to build up to “competitively throwing pitches of consequence” before a final determination can be made.
Needless to say, the progress of these two pitchers is critical to the team’s plans. Coming into the year, they were expected to front the staff for years to come. Even if it’s unrealistic to expect any significant contribution this year, the question remains whether either will be available in 2017.
In Richards’ case, too, difficult arbitration questions loom. He is earning $6.425MM this year in his first season of arb eligibility, and figures to command at least a slight raise after contributing 34 2/3 quality innings. If he’s out for all of next year, then, Los Angeles might be left deciding whether to pay him something on the order of $15MM for the 2018 campaign, with no guarantees of how he’d bounce back from the TJ procedure. It is worth noting that teams have acted creatively to deal with such matters; the Rockies recently extended reliever Adam Ottavino during his rehab, and the White Sox did the same with Nate Jones, with the teams capturing some upside as the players avoided uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the Halos got yet more middling news on lefty C.J. Wilson. He’s going in for another opinion as his shoulder continues to fail to respond to efforts to get back to the big leagues. “It seems like it’s not firing the way he wants it to fire,” said Eppler. It’s far from clear that the 35-year-old will appear again before his contract expires a year’s end.
Why can’t these guys just go for the sure thing and stop delaying the inevitable. They’re wasting time.
As far as Wilson. Another horrible free agent signing for the organization.
TJS has a high success rate but is not a sure thing it is still a major medical procedure, and the rehab is more grueling than most would want to face. It seems to have held up for Tanaka. If you were asked to lose a year and a half of something you like doing, and you have a very limited time as is doing that,you would probably avoid it if possible.
Don’t understand why they just have the surgery. Nothing to it these days. Richards making over 6 million and pitched less than 40 innings. He’s due for a raise in arbitration??? Bull crap
Do you always opt for surgery first in your own medical needs? Nothing to it? A year and a half rehab.
They also have the choice to non tender him so every other team in baseball can lineup at his agents door.
So you just ignored the comment above. Got it.
It’s not really effecting their time lines though. Common practice for TJS recovery is 16+ months which would put both out for 2017. They can pretty much try the plasma injections until around the end of the year. Oct-Dec puts them on track for an April 2018 return.
By waiting Richards and Heaney have likely thrown away any chance of pitching in 2017 unless there is a miracle recovery.
Richards mentioned when he first opted for the therapy that the Angels weren’t going to let him pitch until 2018 if he had the procedure. Much like Skaggs they were going to hold him out about 18 months to ensure a full recovery. So the stem cell therapy actually could be the fastest track back.
Notice Eppler said the shoulder isn’t firing how “HE wants it to fire.” Interesting choice of words. Why do I feel like CJ has never wanted to pitch for the Angels again?
“Never?” Seems that Wilson was fine pitching for Angels until he spoke up for Josh Hamilton (rightfully so IMO), thereafter it was all down hill.
Yeap! The Hamilton soap-opera was the turning point for CJ…
I wish they would release CJ so that he doesn’t retire an Angel
CJ wasn’t a bad signing for CA. He gave them three pretty good years….which is what he was when he signed with CA…a pretty good pitcher. Not an ace…not a star, but pretty good.
And he was their best pitcher his second year when he was 17-7(I think). Sure he’s getting paid handsomely but he was definitely solid for those 3 years.
Hey Chris815,
Do you have anymore of your epic 4 team 20 player trade proposals to entertain us with?
Yes, I would like to see more proposals where the Angels have to give up a ton of prospects and a lot of cash to move Trout.
1st of yes I put 2 team trade and people mock them. And second thing like to point out I have proven that Tehran is as good as Pedro Martinez and Johnny customer where in their 4th complete seasons. And he is on same tract as them . And most people would call them aces.
Dame phone. Johnny cueto
The Angels are screwed for years to come. So unfortunate to have the best player in baseball and have no chance to compete. Horrible free agent signings: Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton have caught up and will be an albatross around their neck for a long, long time. The only way to reset would be to package Trout and Pujols together for a good haul. That way you get rid of Pujols contract, start over, and get back to the underdog and small ball team of 2002. I love Trout and every Angel fan would hate it but I see it as the only way to compete sooner rather than 10 years later.
No thanks. Ask the Marlins how good have they been since sending Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers. Or how many WS the Padres won after they traded Roberto Alomar. Heck even the Angels have an example on their own with the Nolan Ryan trade.
I’m as frustrated with this team as any other Angels fan. But this is a team that will be shedding salaries this year and next. Belongs to a big market and has a 2 billion dollar TV deal. On top of that they’re lining up to get protected draft picks on 2017 and 2018. Their farm system will be alright and they could be spending in free agents all before 2018 when Trout will be what 26?
Angels will be fine
You make it sound so easy.
Shaddup, I agree. I’m an Angel fan since ’68 and will never give up on them, but I think this is a lost season and that they should let Scioscia go and let Ebel manage for the next 3 months to see what can do.
The Angels blew it long ago but not giving Joe Maddon the job. Scioscia’s act is tired. Sit around and wait for the 3 run homerun isn’t cutting it. The way this team is built is awful. Bandaids every year that never stop the bleeding. Not only has Pujols’ contract killed this team but they way they play and tip toe around his ego is hard to watch. Trout can’t even steal when he’s up. Scioscia gets the death stare if he has the gall to pinch run for him late in games. There’s no camaraderie whatsoever.
Angels did it right from 2002 on. Built through the farm system and signed mid-level free agents. No one bigger than the team. (see Giants and Cardinals). But then came the death contracts of Pujols and Hamilton. They simply can’t recover without making a bold move.
Only asset they have is Trout. We all love Trout but to shed Pujols contract (165 million left through 2021) the Angels would need to package both Trout and Pujols together for some team’s 3-4 best prospects.
All of a sudden, the Angels farm system is back and they are the underdogs playing small ball and 2002 is no longer a distant memory.
Sitting around and waiting for the 3 run homerun was Jerry Dipoto’s design. Everyone should know that by now. His philosophy has been quoted in many articles. And the Angels lead the AL in sacrifices by the way. Their pitching is their problem this season. Their offense has done their job. The front office is the overall problem. What’s happening this season should’ve happened in 2010-2011, but the organization has been putting it off for 6 1/2 years now. 2012 was when their window opened again but the the lack of replenishing their depth caught up to them quickly and it was a miracle that they made the playoffs in 2014 given their situation. Trading Trout would be the worst move they could possibly make. Exactly what cleanup hitter are you just going to go out and replace Albert with? He’s still on pace for 30/100 again. Mike Scioscia’s hands have been tied for a long time now. You can’t win when your GM’s are not addressing your team’s actual needs. Bullpen has been their biggest in field problem since 2009, and only in 2014 did the front office address that accordingly. What the Angels need to do is concede this season, unload veterans that will be free agents after the year to replenish some youth, let all that money fall off the books this offseason, regroup, and g that high draft pick next season. Right now I believe they have the number 5 pick. That’s what they need to do. Pitching is their problem. But it’s impossible to win with a whole starting rotation on the DL…
Angels didn’t trade Nolan Ryan, he left as a free agent. Bavasi later said it was the worse move he made in not re-signing him.