Rockies right-handed reliever Scott Oberg underwent surgery Thursday to treat blood clots in his pitching elbow, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. The procedure could end Oberg’s career, according to Harding.
This is now the third surgery Oberg has undergone in an effort to cure this problem. The troubles began in 2018, and they led to a premature ending to his season in 2019. Oberg then missed the entire 2020 campaign and had thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, though there had been optimism that he would return this year before suffering another setback.
A 15th-round pick of the Rockies in 2012, Oberg made his debut with the Rox in 2015 and went on to appear with the club in five straight seasons. Despite the injuries, Oberg put together an excellent stretch from 2018-19, in which he totaled 114 2/3 innings of 2.35 ERA ball. The Rockies signed Oberg to a three-year, $13.5MM extension after 2019, but it obviously hasn’t worked out as hoped.
birdsfan415
Poor guy, hopefully it doesn’t end his career and he can return. Otherwise solid career and sad it had to end like this
kmk1986
Wow Rockies relievers can’t catch a break. Rockies r soo desperate for any decent arm in their pen this is a huge loss for them
DarkSide830
damn not again
Rangers29
This is terrible… I liked Oberg, and I was just waiting till he could be apart of a Braves’ postseason run, but alas, that may never come to fruition… Let’s hope he can return…
johnnybadd2019
Hate to say this but he’s done
jt3z
Ok Dr. johnnybadd2019
towinagain
So bummed for him!
clrrogers
Man, that sucks. If this is the end for him, at least he was able to stick around long enough to make some good money.
Arnold Ziffel
Too bad, but it is all over for him. He could have had a very good career.
Luke Strong
Hopefully he gets to enjoy his retirement and the medical issues are behind him now that he won’t have to stress his body. Good for him that he got paid.
Dunk Dunkington
Damn! That sucks!
It would be a great story if he can make a comeback but if not, then way to get paid before this happened.
Lanidrac
Yeah, and he’ll still get his full 2021 salary due to being forced into retirement for medical reasons like Prince Fielder did. Heck, the Rangers and Tigers finally got Fielder off their books (with Texas finally freeing up their 40-man roster spot) this offseason!
gbs42
He’s signed through 2022, and he’s not retired, so he’ll get paid his full salary for both seasons unless he does officially retire.
Lanidrac
I’m saying even if he does officially retire, he won’t forfeit the rest of his contract due to it being due to a medical reason.
Lanidrac
Wow, even when they sign their own players to new contracts it doesn’t work out. I won’t argue against them having one of the worst front offices in baseball, but part of their troubles lately has been also been some really bad luck.
Jeff Zanghi
Wow can’t help but feel bad for him, what terrible luck for a guy who was really starting to establish himself as a top shelf reliever! Hopefully his health problems don’t extend past baseball… blood clots at his age are certainly not a good thing but hopefully it’s baseball related and won’t cause him further health troubles down the road. Would be a tremendous story if he can somehow work his way back after all this but if not… at least good for him that he was able to live up to his potential even if just for a couple seasons, and as a great bonus for him he stuck around long enough to make some really solid money. Best of luck to him, sad to see his career end this way if indeed this is the end.
Jeff Zanghi
Oh and I just realized he’s a local kid… in fact I believe my team played his in high school as he was just a year ahead of me. I don’t remember actually facing him but he must’ve been on the team back then.
Eatdust666
Sorry to hear about this
CravenMoorehead
He was showing so much promise in 2018/2019. At the same time there are things bigger than sports and I hope he is able to live a healthy life.
Brentquigley02
Whenever I hear that someone’s baseball career is in jeopardy, it’s just plain sad. As a baseball player myself I absolutely love the game and anyone who has put in so much work to get to this point in there career but who can’t play for medical reasons and may not be able to pitch professionaly I feel bad for. People don’t understand the work that goes into this. As an Angels fan this breaks my heart.
minoso9
I like this guy. He’s a competitor, and one of the few Rockies pitchers I didn’t mind seeing enter a game. Best of luck to him in the future-with or without baseball.