Stephen Strasburg has a torn elbow ligament; likely to have Tommy John surgery

Nationals pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg will likely undergo Tommy John surgery for a torn elbow ligament. Given the length of rehab for such an injury, it appears Strasburg will miss the entire 2011 season.

Terrible news for the Nationals organization, the fans, and MLB.

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Friday an MRI on the right elbow revealed a “significant tear.” Strasburg will travel to the West Coast for a second opinion, but Rizzo anticipates the 22-year-old right-hander will need the operation that requires 12 to 18 months of rehabilitation.
“As you can imagine, he was initially upset,” Rizzo said. “But he has really turned himself from being upset to being focused on his rehabilitation. He’s determined to get the surgery done and begin the process of rehabilitation.”

Strasburg will finish his rookie impressive rookie campaign with a 5-3 record, a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts. Oh yea, and he did all that in less than 70 innings of work.

The injury occurred last Saturday against the Phillies. The team originally called it a strained flexor tendon but there were whispers in the organization that it was much worse. Their suspicions were confirmed with a detailed MRI.

Strasburg likely to have Tommy John surgery [AP]

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