McCann Trying To Avoid Surgery

Written by Jonathan on April 28, 2009 – 4:16 pm

Since being placed on the 15-day disabled list in the series against Cincinnati, Brian McCann has returned to Atlanta to be re-evaluated by another eye specialist, Dr. Alan Kozarsky.  Once again, Mac tried a number of different contact lenses to try to correct the blurred vision in his left eye.  McCann and Kozarsky settled on contacts in both eyes to help resolve the issue.

While realizing that he still may have to undergo Lasik surgery once again to repair his vision in his left eye (he originally had the surgery in 2007), McCann will first give make two rehab starts in Class A Myrtle Beach.  With McCann on the disabled list and ineligible for reactivation for the next 10 days, this is the best option to test the new contact combination.  After his two-game stint, starting tonight, a decision will likely be made as to whether or not the surgery should be performed.

Personally, I think the Braves are just prolonging the inevitable with this decision.  Nothing has seemed to work for McCann so far and I just feel like every day that he doesn’t have the surgery is another day that he won’t be playing back in Atlanta.  Granted, the recovery time for Lasik isn’t that long, I think he should go ahead and get it done.  Thoughts?  Am I just completely offbase in thinking that?


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Posted in Injuries | 6 Comments »

Smoltz Progressing Well

Written by Jonathan on December 6, 2008 – 9:29 pm

I’m sure I speak for many Braves fans when I say that I really want to see John Smoltz back in a Braves uniform for a little bit longer before he hangs up the spikes on a great career.  I also speak for those fans in saying that I don’t want to see him play in anything but a Braves uniform should he make the decision to come back for the 2009 season.  For all of us, there is encouraging news in the AJC today.

Smoltz threw from a mound on Friday for the first time since his shoulder surgery in June and experienced no pain or discomfort.  At this point in his rehab, he has been described as being “way ahead of schedule”.  The official answer from the Braves at the current time is that they cannot yet count on Smoltz for the 2009 season, but it appears that his rehab is at least coming along fairly well.  It seems that Bobby Cox is very confident that Smoltz will be back on the mound for the 2009 season, saying, “oh, he’ll be back — no doubt in my mind”.

Though saying that he can’t yet count on Smoltz for 2009, Frank Wren has indicated that he hopes to offer him a contract when he reaches a point in his throwing program that it seems like he will be ready to pitch again.  It’s good to see that 5 arm surgeries throughout his career have not killed the desire in Smoltz to get the Braves back to postseason play.  

It’s not yet clear what role Smoltz would take up on the pitching staff and I presume that a lot of that would depend on how the rest of his rehab program goes.  He has, however, indicated that he would be willing to return in any role that would be helpful to the team, though he would love to return to the rotation.  Whether it be as a starter, in the bullpen, or as the closer, I’d be more than happy to see Smoltz back out at Turner Field.

So what do you think?  Will we see Smoltz back in 2009?  Will he be back in a Braves uniform?  What role do you see him serving on the pitching staff?


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Posted in Injuries | 4 Comments »

Moylan Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

Written by Jonathan on May 8, 2008 – 11:09 pm

Not being seen much as a surprise, Braves’ reliever Peter Moylan underwent Tommy John surgery today when he went to see his doctor in Birmingham.  After the surgery, Moylan’s doctor, James Andrews, confirmed that a bone spur had lodged itself into the UCL in Moylan’s right elbow.  This had compromised the integrity of the ligament to the point that it would not have been rehabilitable.

The Braves are no strangers to Tommy John surgery.  The surgery, which involves replacing the UCL in the elbow with a tendon from the leg, requires at least a year of rehabilitation and recovery time until the individual can pitch again.  Moylan’s hoping that he can return to the Braves’ bullpen around this time next year and continue to help carry the bullpen as a setup man.  In seven appearances thus far this season, Moylan had posted a 1.59 ERA.


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Posted in Injuries | 2 Comments »

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