Angels right-hander Garrett Richards’ May decision to eschew Tommy John surgery in favor of a stem-cell therapy treatment on his elbow has produced positive results thus far. Richards threw his first bullpen session since May 1 on Saturday and came away from it encouraged about his chances to make an impact in 2017, saying, “There’s no doubt in my mind I’ll be able to pitch” (Twitter link via Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register).
Richards’ next milestone is to face live hitters Oct. 1, per Fletcher, who adds that the 28-year-old will then pitch in instructional league if that goes well. Should Richards emerge from those steps unscathed, he’ll have an opportunity to help the Angels next year. That Richards has currently progressed to such a degree is remarkable, as it appeared he was headed toward Tommy John surgery after receiving word in May that he had a significant tear in his elbow. Surgery is still a possibility if Richards’ recovery hits a snag, of course, and that would substantially delay his return to a big league mound. However, had Richards chosen surgery over stem-cell therapy in the first place, he would have had difficulty coming back in 2017, anyway. By taking the route he has, Richards has given himself a chance to pitch next season.
Before succumbing to injury, Richards posted mostly stellar numbers this year, logging a 2.34 ERA, 8.8 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 34 2/3 innings. Over the previous two seasons, Richards started 58 games and recorded a 3.18 ERA, 8.14 K/9 and 3.09 BB/9 across 376 frames. Injuries to him and fellow starters Andrew Heaney and Nick Tropeano have helped sink the Angels this year and could damage the team’s odds of bouncing back next season.
Heaney underwent Tommy John surgery in July after first attempting an unsuccessful stem-cell treatment. Tropeano, meanwhile, required the surgery in August after tearing his UCL in July. With few contributions from those three and Tyler Skaggs, who has only thrown 48 innings this year and had his own Tommy John scare earlier this week, the Angels have stumbled to a 63-84 mark. Their record puts them last in the American League West and tied for second worst in the AL.
While Heaney and Tropeano will most most or all of next season, Richards is so far on track to return to the Angels’ rotation. Richards should be in line for an increase over his $6.425MM salary as he makes his third of four possible trips through arbitration in the offseason. Of course, a serious setback before then would leave the Angels to decide whether to tender Richards a contract for next year.
Oh your elbow hurts? Tommy John surgery!
It feels like almost every pitcher is getting it.
Of course… Since everybody stopped juicing … The TJ cases have soared…
If anything, steroids would increase TJ because it strengthens the muscles and not the surrounding tendons and ligaments.
Could you please provide your source for the link between a decrease in steroids and increase in TJS, since it seems to go against the commonly accepted opinion of the medical community..
Angels fans are poorly represented on mlbtr
Hopefully he comes back strong, he’s really one of the most underrated players in the game
Snap, crackle, pop! Been a Halo fan for over 40 years and off the top my head I can not recall and Angels organization as bad as this one…. and more important, I have noticed they could not even careless and it seems to have carried on to the field with the players. I am happy to say, no way in hell will I be purchasing my season tickets again next year.
Good. The Angels will greatly benefit without you as a fan.
“Angels don’t care.” PSSHHH Please. How exactly does a team bounce back from EVERY STARTER+ EVERY expected replacement starter hitting the DL? Just how? This is a huge mess and it doesn’t matter who is the coach, owner, general manager etc. it would still be a mess. This is the WORST LUCK I have seen any team have. Not only because it affects the team this season but next season as well.
next years angels rotation predictions
Richards
Skaggs
Shoemaker
Meyer
Nollasco/Hellickson/Nova/Weaver
depending on what they do in free agency