Written by
The Sports Network
Fort Myers, FL (Sports Network) - Joel Zumaya's career in Minnesota ended
almost as quickly as it began.
The oft-injured right-hander will miss the 2011 season after an MRI showed a
torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that will need Tommy John
surgery to repair, one of the few procedures Zumaya has not had to endure.
Zumaya was forced to leave his bullpen session after only 13 pitches on
Saturday. The team had hoped that he had just broken up some scar tissue, but
the news was far worse and could spell the end of a once-promising career.
The 27-year-old hurler, who had spent the first five years of his career with
the Detroit Tigers, hadn't pitched in the majors since June 28, 2010,
coincidentally in Minnesota. He suffered an elbow injury in that contest
and underwent surgery for a non-displaced fracture of the olecranon.
Another procedure was performed last spring after pain persisted in the elbow
and Zumaya missed the entire 2011 campaign.
Zumaya, armed with a fastball that had reached 100 miles per hour in the past,
has been plagued by a history of arm, elbow and shoulder troubles. He struck
out 97 batters and posted an earned run average of 1.94 in 62 games as a
rookie in 2006, but has not appeared in more than 31 games during a season
since.
In 171 career games, all out of the bullpen, Zumaya has a record of 13-12 with
a 3.05 ERA and five saves. He's also fanned 210 batters in 209 2/3 innings.
The Sports Network