Yankees southpaw Zack Britton will undergo surgery next month to remove bone chips from his left elbow, he tells reporters (including Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who will perform the procedure, will also examine Britton’s UCL, but the veteran reliever noted that the primary concern appears to be the bone chips. (Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported yesterday that this was the likeliest outcome).
There’s no indication of a recovery timeline for Britton. He had already been transferred to the 60-day injured list, effectively ending his 2021 season. Whether Britton is expected to be at full strength for Spring Training remains to be seen. This will be the second elbow procedure the 33-year-old has undergone this season. In early March, Britton required arthroscopic surgery — also to alleviate bone chips — that kept him from making his season debut until mid-June.
In between the injuries, Britton struggled to his worst season since he moved to the bullpen in 2014. The typically reliable relief ace only managed 18 1/3 innings of 5.89 ERA ball. Britton continued to rack up ground balls at one of the league’s best clips (68%), but his walk rate spiked to a career high 17.1%. Along the way, the average velocity on Britton’s hellacious sinker fell to 92.6 MPH, more than two ticks lower than its 2018-20 level.
Britton remains under contract with New York for next season. Last October, the Yankees exercised his $14MM club option for 2022. (Declining the option would’ve allowed Britton to reach free agency last winter). New York’s training staff will work to get Britton back to his standard form next season.
I hope the NYY release him n Bloom picks him up since he fits the pattern of reclamation projects
No chance of that. That’s just silly.
@rossf What are you saying that the Yankees don’t want to pay Britton $14 million to go play with Boston? Lol I agree that comment was silly.
Without knowing how serious the operation is, picking a high-caliber RP for league minimum, would be a coup. The NYY won’t do that, but it would be a heck of a move.
They’re not going to release him -they already picked up the option- & just eat the $14M they owe him. Wake up & smell the power steering fluid.
100% right, Gotham. People seem to forget that MLB contracts are guaranteed. NY owes him $14M next year even if his arm needs to be amputated. Sure, they could put him on waivers but no team is going to pick up his $14M price tag. They would never DFA him as that would require NY to eat his full $14M less the league minimum he would sign for with another club.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who will perform the procedure, will also examine Britton’s UCL, but the veteran reliever noted that the primary concern appears to be the bone chips.
He performs a lot of the TJ surgeries these days.
Better to have ElAttrache do the surgery than have UnAttrache do the surgery.
Or his cousin DeAttrache.
There is a fascinating Google spread sheet on every TJ surgery that can be compiled all sorts of ways. I only found it because my nephew had TJ for the second time this year. Making his comeback next year, he’s still young enough to have a shot but he only has two professional innings under his belt.
Never heard of a pitcher having elbow chips removed and then a few months later having more removed.
Wear-and-tear and age does that you. At least it isn’t some UCL tear for now.
It’s tough for a relief pitcher to be peak when first appearing midseason, let alone after surgery. For him, hopefully they confirm his UCL is fine, then he has the next six months to recover and be ready for Opening Day.
Makes me wonder if they missed some with the original surgery. He hasn’t been himself this year.
It’s understandable to think he won’t be missed since he wasn’t there most of the year, and when he did pitch briefly he wasn’t good, but the hopes of a healthy Britton were in the Yankees plans for the second half. He’d have alleviated the workload and been a great setup option. I wouldn’t bet against him being very good again in 2022, but the end can also come quickly for relievers, even the top ones.
Have always loved Britton. I love how he wears his heart on his sleeve; Jorge used to do that and it’s always nice to have a player on the team who is not afraid to do that. Hope he has a great recovery and toes the rubber a hell of a lot more
@Ducky finally a W, O’s are up next…hope they can start another streak