4:42pm: The surgery was performed today in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Red Sox announced.
4:23pm: We’ve known for some time that Red Sox lefty Chris Sale was destined for Tommy John surgery. But the timing of the procedure was in some doubt given the urgent need for medical resources to deal with the still-growing coronavirus crisis.
Sale has indeed received a replacement ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). Details on the procedure — timing, location, whether other work was also done — remain unavailable.
Several other pitchers have had TJ surgeries in recent weeks. But even if it’s legal (that depends upon location) and there’s a willing medical provider, it remains a legitimate question whether it’s ethical to perform such elective work given the dire need for medical resources around the world. Emma Baccilieri of SI.com just published a careful examination of the topic.
Now that we know Sale has had his elbow work done, it’s possible to set an estimated timeline for his return. There’s no question he’ll miss all of a truncated 2020 season, no matter how late it goes. But his status for 2021 will depend upon the course of his rehab. If all goes well, he’ll be moving toward competitive moundwork this time next year.
This comment section is going to be spicy.
Maybe. Sale’s operation simply reinforces the view that professional athletes receive preferential treatment. An earlier post today indicated that the Cubs, who have two employees with COVID-19, “will” decide whether to have their entire organization tested. Most of us “will not” have the option to determine whether we should be tested. I wonder if Sale himself had any reservations about the optics, or whether the Cubs will have reservations when and if they decide to go ahead with testing in their organization.
This is stupid. The surgeons that do reconstructive surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament are specialists. They are not caring for people for people with covid 19. This is a pointless post.
The post was mainly informing us that the procedure had occurred. Maybe you find Jeff’s commentary pointless, in which case I would recommend not looking at a sports rumor site when there are no sports.
The specialists were wearing gowns and masks that should have been used for dying Coronavirus victims!
Sale also was likely taking up a hospital bed and requiring nurses for assistance.
Dude that bed and the nurses are part of the specialist pratice and not prepeared to deal with COVID19. You people are ridiculous. Gotta love fake outrage
Afk711, many hospitals are at the point of pulling people out of their specialties to help out. I know many physicians helping out in the ICUs and medical floors from other specialties (anesthesiologists, surgeons, neurologists). Nurses in general float (very common to see nursing duties shifted around when one specialty is not busy and another is, even during normal times) and are 100% helping out with covid patients (yes, even the surgical nurses). The point also still stands that we have a shortage of gowns and masks…
TJ surgery takes about 60 minutes to complete and is day surgery, so Sale was in a bed for 2-3 hours max. Plus these surgeries are not done at hospitals. They are done at special facilities these specialist doctors own, so Sale being in a bed for 2-3 hours post surgery is not having any impact on Corona virus patients. The only argument here is that the doctor was using a gown and mask, but they use different gowns and masks than what they need for COVID right now so this is all just a matter of optics. I have no issue with these procedures being done so long as they are not being done at hospitals and are not being done by doctors treating COVID patients.
My wife is a RN in the bearthing center of a hispital. well guess what pal? she has been pulled from her position to man the ventilators for sick patients. it is what happens when you take the oath of a medical profession.
Out of curiosity…are there complications of surgeries that can develop…post-operative bleeding, infection etc? 60 minutes sounds like a short time eh…what do I know…::throws MD degree in garbage::
This is one of the few times I’ve agreed with ChiSox_Fan on this site…
Wonder why that simple comment is awaiting moderation?!
if They aren’t now they will be shortly. It doesn’t matter what specialty you are. It’s all hands on deck. Every medical professional will be treating Covid19 regardless of specialty.
You guys have NO idea what it’s like working in a hospital, esp the type of unit he was admitted to. There is nothing wrong with his having the procedure.
My friend just graduated from nursing school, and she had plans to celebrate by going to New Zealand with her boyfriend. That’s no longer an option. She immediately went out and found work. Nurses who haven’t yet graduated are being pressed into service. There is plenty that a medical school graduate can do to help. It’s a choice.
NYU, Harvard, Cornell are graduating their medical school students early pending commitment to COVID help….
Well said by ChiSox
I agree… Like there is absolutely no reason for him to have to ‘wait’ to get the surgery because of the coronavirus. Even more so being a MLB pitcher because the surgeon who performed the surgery isn’t even a standard run of the mill surgeon. Like he’s an ‘ultra-specialist’ who basically focuses on TJ surgery for ML baseball players — it’s not like performing the surgery is taking him away from ‘saving lives’ or anything like that. People are going overboard with the “what are the optics” and “athletes are getting preferential treatment” like I’m 100% certain that Sale would’ve rather not have to had TJ surgery than have it… so it’s not like he’s doing some conceited elective surgery that he should be ashamed of.
Dude, it has nothing to do with the surgeon doing the surgery…its about the hospital resources that were utilized that could have been diverted to someone suffering from the Virus….you totally missed the meaning of the comments before as did several of you with the same opinion…..not being an alarmist it does have to do with available resources in LA which currently is a hotbed for the virus. Unfortunately, Sale is the only one….Thor also had his surgery last week so he’s not alone.
My wife had knee replacement surgery in a similar facility early in January. The “hospital” is just for people who received those surgeries. There’s no ER. The public doesn’t even know about there places.
These places
yeah but facts don’t matter
Exactly. It’s apples & oranges
Spicy.
Loads of surgeries are being performed amidst this outbreak. Life continues on.
These non Coronavirus patient surgeries should be performed on the hospital ships!
Tommy John surgeries are performed at private day surgery centers; not hospitals.
And what makes that facility so “special” that their masks, respirators and most importantly the human medical doctors etc which should be diverted to millionaire athletes that have the $ resources to arrange for anything they want rather than the greater effort to save those more unfortunate and sick.
Umm because it’s a private facility and they might own the equipment or at the very least leasing it.
Here comes the people shaking with anger
So right now 100% of doctors around the globe are only treating covid19, nobody in the world is having any medical procedure done? I wonder how many people are dying because of this.
The guy who’s liver transplant from his uncle was postponed would like a word. Hospitals are deciding this because them patients are high risk to contract the virus. Which one is higher risk?
I bet the arm doctor probably wasn’t going to do the liver swap.
The point is of course that if you or I needed elective surgery we would be told no way. Money talks…
The difference also is, they have specialists around here whose job is literally TJS. If a person in here came to the specialist and said, fix my elbow, the specialist would first have to figure out if a similarity to TJS exists.
It’s also not exactly “elective surgery” like maybe for the average Joe it would be — but this surgery is required for him to be able to ‘do his job’ — just because his job is playing baseball and not being an accountant or something doesn’t make it any less legitimate that it’s a requirement for him to be able to work. Even if it weren’t I find the whole “outrage” thing absurd — like it’s not like the doctor or even the location of where he received the surgery wouldve otherwise been used to treat coronavirus patients — so flipping out about it is really kind of absurd.
This. Well said.
“but this surgery is required for him to be able to ‘do his job’”
He has already made almost $90 million in salaries as an MLB player and he has another $115 million in future contracts coming. Does he really need to work?
I’m retired with decent health insurance, so I can get along but I have friends with children and their jobs have been shut down. Sorry if I can’t feel sorry for the multi-millionaires.
With the death rate in this country predicted to be as high as 200,000 and a shortage of hospital beds and supplies in a lot of areas already, I think the pandemic takes priority.
Special surgeons are not going to get rid of the pandemic
ESPN’s website said the surgery was a success 2 days ago. Not making this up.
Like how the Dr’s name almost looks like “el attache” which is what he did to the ligament.
This guy’s an orthopedic specialist in a tony part of town. Unless maybe the anesthesia or pain medication were needed for Covid patients, this has zero effect on that crisis. Nor would any other procedure he does during this time.
That said, not sure I’d want to jump on an airplane and head to LAX just to get here at the onset of our avalanche.
True that Halos-
Southern Californians are making a mockery of this situation….its disgusting and shameful being a lifetime resident but Im not surprised –
There are literally hundreds of people on all the walking trails and in the parks everyday….. I love living here ,but I cant defend the people here, mostly everything people say/think about us is spot on …self absorbed, careless, naive, and bigots……it sucks and will probably be the reason I eventually leave (not the ridiculous housing market)
JD – you stole my post !!! I have been saying exactly the same thing about the self absorbed, egotistical, egocentric, (more synonyms please) Southern Californians since I moved here and can’t wait to leave. My kids say they live in Snobsdad, Snobifornia. Lol
Apparently your generalizations don’t include places say like Florida which has been in the news recently for bad behavior. C’mon there is such an anti Cali bias across the country typically by those who disagree with their progressive politics or just jealous of the great weather. I assure you many people outside of CA would move here if they could afford it.
Maybe if you moved 10-20 miles inland from Carlsbad you would get to see the real world. Who could have imagined that if you live in an incredibly rich neighborhood that the people there would act, well, rich and privileged. Try talking to people in Chula Vista. But I am going to bet you have never been there, have you 4WSsince04?
Unfit- There are literally 100’s of people out here in the parks taking pics for their Instagram right now, they come in flocks –
My Gf and I rolled down the window to ask why outta shock….. Most Common response was “It was really Nice today?!?” (Was cloudy till recently)
Im sure its happening in other places around America too but believe me its frightening out here everywhere and that pretty much spells out who we are as SOcal as a whole- Again Ive lived here my whole life, wish it weren’t true but the facts are the facts-
Im literally about to get a bullhorn on Amazon………..theres about a walking trail every 3 milles here in Socal btw for thoses who are not aware …this is a problem Im all for mandatory lockdown actions from Ozzie at this point
Hmmmm. Somehow I get the feeling that if I moved to any of Beverly Hills, Watts, Monaco or Detroit that I would feel equally out of place. I wonder, is that their fault, or mine for moving there and expecting them to act like me?
Unfit – many people move to California…..many do and leave shortly after arriving in California because of the expense, over crowding, and people.
We went to Yellowstone, and driving from Bozeman to Yellowstone my wife could not get over how peaceful the highway there was. She finally realized it was because of no traffic or tailgaters….you also stated “if they could afford it”. That’s like saying ….”if money wasn’t an issue”……it is a useless statement because it is always an issue even if you have enough of it.
I work with the CA State Employees and yes have been to Chula Vista at least a hundred times. They are nicer people, but the traffic and all the problems associated with California still exit there too. The DMV employees are some of the nicest in the state. They have a hard job an are abused by the public…yes I know hundreds of people in Chula Vista Javia
Too many people in too small of space….
Traffic? Crowds? Have you ever been to NYC? Chicago? Pretty crowded.
Perhaps Wisconsin or Montana is the place for you?
The beaches and trails in California have been closed.
He is on a rant. There is no need to contradict that with facts which don’t support his narrative.
Walking trails Greg…and parks ….yes the beaches GOT closed bc we ran out to them in armies after getting “cooped up” the first couple days-
Javia- I dont think he expected the people to change for him he just didnt expect the level of D-bagness we possess on a whole – Ive heard many echoes from people who have had to move here for work as well from outside states
Cali is amazing….the people…well…a lot to be desired
But it wasn’t the Californians who showed up by the thousands for Mardi Gras, or like the New Yorkers today, crowded themselves onto Pier 90 to see the Navy hospital ship arrive.
Chris Sale flying commercial? Highly unlikely! There are many executive jet centers in SoCal. No reason to fly into LAX.
Dr. James Andrews even said “I am not going to do it”.
Surgery was not medically necessary.
I may well be wrong, but I doubt the doctors specializing in Tommy John surgery are also experts in treating Covid-19. But who knows…maybe they could help.
I don’t think the issue here is that Dr. El Attrache was doing TJ surgeries instead of helping covid-19 patients. The real problem is the gowns and masks that were used during the surgery. Those are in very short supply, and should have been used by doctors in covid-19 hotspots (or saved for when patients with the virus end up swamping LA hospitals). There’s also the double standard that these surgeries have been reinforcing- all elective surgeries are cancelled unless you’re a professional athlete.
So my confusion continues. Was Dr ElAttrache, who has a private practice and doesn’t work at a hospital, supposed to donate all his medical supplies for Covid-19 caretakers? Are all private doctors doing that?
A federal judge ruled earlier today Texas can’t halt abortions during the corona virus. Good to see it’s ok for doctors to be out there murdering unborn babies during this “pandemic.” But God forbid a doctor perform a Tommy John surgery.
These doctors do not use the same gown and make that are in short supply, so this is a non issue. Shoulder doctors and TJ doctors dress like fisherman. Yes they have on scrubs (which are not short on supply), but then they wear a rubber apron of sorts and something that looks like a hockey helmet with a plastic visor. They don’t use the same face masks that COVID doctors need. Also, this is a 1 hour day surgery and Sale probably flew home that same day from a private day surgery center and not a hospital. Can we stop these silly arguments please?
I take COVID very seriously and agree that hospitals need to prioritize this over elective surgeries right now, but this something completely different and has zero impact on the pandemic.
Thank you for your informed response.
Dorothy I just love reading your posts, ty. And that goes for Mo4ever too, love them. Great reads.
Yo….zbusswhatever…..he’s a doctor isn’t he….who the hell was an “expert” in treating Covod-19 before the virus hit?
It’s buzzinhornets. I know reading is hard for the mentally challenged. It’s a reference to Eddie Jordan’s formula one team. So are all doctors now required to spend 100% of their time on Covid-19? Guess we’ll just let cancer patients and the like die because only corona virus matters? Stupid hurts!!
I don’t know if he’d be “expected to” donate his supplies, but it would be a good gesture of solidarity at the very least. I agree that people ripping on him for not working with covid-19 patients is stupid since that’s not his specialty, but essential medical supplies are going to be short for everyone- not just doctors working with covid-19 patients. We’re at the point where people are starting drives to make masks from spare fabric. IMO, Dr. ElAttrache ought to donate what supplies he has and shutter his clinic until the worst is over, at least in California.
My wife has spent $100s out of her own pocket and spent countless hours making masks the last several days. No they are not N95 rated…but they are better than nothing. And today she and her co-workers provided 1,600 meals for their students forced to stay at home during these trying times.
Fantastic!
Thank you and your wife.
Thank you. Your Sox had a helluva an offseason. As did my Reds. See you in the World Series!
So wrong at this time to be using any kind of operating equipment for anything other than helping actual sick people with coronavirus.
A lot of people have health issues. Many worse than corona virus. So you’re suggesting we just ignore those people? Please…inform yourself. All medical conditions matter!!
His Tommy John doctor has a LA Dodgers poster on his waiting room wall. lol
Could be because he’s the Dodgers team physician.
Chris Sale should be sent to the bad place. Same with the surgeon. And then they should switch places. Yeah I’m drunk. What’s it to you? There’s no sports. What else am I supposed to do? My mama left me. My wife left me. She took the kids with her (thank god). All I got is my remote control and my TV. I don’t even have a bed. I traded that to Hector for some toilet paper. He still has a wife so he needed it more than me. And my TV don’t play nuthin but that damn Corona. That $1200 better come soon.
I don’t know why you’re waiting. I talked to some company that sent me my check this morning. All I had to do was give them my credit card number…
And I got my check in my hand, signed by President Hillary Clinton…..
Let me know if you want that outfit’s phone number…..
And still you’re better off than most. Be grateful.
Criticism is pointless. Merely shows ignorance.
Good luck with recovery, Chris. I Am So Drunk didn’t tell you he was donating that entire $1,200 check to Doctors Without Borders. What a guy.
Shameful.
Got to agree, there are a lot of places that are not under the gun for this surgery. Arm chair QBs are running rampant, so what’s new?
Jeff need not speculate about the need for beds for Coronavirus in LA unless he has checked and has specific fact that there was a shortage. I find most writers need to stick to what they know or they show how ignorant they are. Few journalists understand economics or personal finance yet they give financial advice which is usually wrong. Jeff stick to sports……..
Only the entitled and wealthy can receive preferential treatment like this.
Note to MLBTR. Please block commenting on the rest of these articles related to COVID-19 or on medical interventions that are directly affected by it. I understand these are stories that have to be written but I’m tired of the politics and ethics arguments that go back and forth regarding eassential and no
Essential and not essential arguments is what I meant to say.
Or just don’t click on the comments for these articles…
California is trying to mobilize retired medical care workers, and nurses who are about to graduate. It’s all hands on deck. Before orthopedic surgeons achieved that specialty they had to graduate from medical school. That makes them more than qualified to help out in a hospital. Thor’s surgery was done in a hospital across the street from Good Sam. If those doctors walked across the street and volunteered to help, I’m sure they could be of value. And their nurses and assistants too. But money talks.
Yes, another example of different rules for the rich and connected. My wife went to an orthopedic surgeon today for a fractured and dislocated toe. It needs surgical repair but it is considered “elective” so she waits. She needs to walk every bit that Sale needs to throw.
The country is in a national emergency. The staff and equipment are vital resources, regardless of the specialty.
I’m so sorry fir your wife’s pain. I hope she gets tended to quickly.
Good for him. He is one athlete who wants to earn his pay.
Why hasn’t anyone asked why Dr. Andrews didn’t do the surgery? He’s the one who treated Sale when he first injured his elbow last season.
It wouldn’t be because the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Florida has been shut down in compliance with the state governor’s executive order, would it?
Exactly.
He refused to do it.
Heard it discussed on WEEI Boston radio today.
There are orthopedic hospitals that do nothing else. They have no emergency rooms no weird diseases… the result is surgeries come off on schedule with lower infection rates. Also staffing is focused on orthopedics, nurses, physical therapist, occupation therapists. Great business mode. Can’t be sure a Sale was in one of these but if he was likely no impact on virus care.
And all the self righteous negative commenters on here have practiced safe social distancing, right? Done nothing to increase the spread, right?
From the NY Times:
With Virus Surge, Dermatologists and Orthopedists Are Drafted for the E.R.
Specialists who haven’t worked an intensive care shift in years are being pressed into duty as coronavirus cases overwhelm New York’s hospitals.