The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Julio Urias will undergo anterior capsule surgery on Tuesday, ending his 2017 campaign. Team doctor Neal ElAttrache will perform the operation.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is “pretty confident” Urias will pitch next season. Friedman referred to the injury as “acute” that occurred on one pitch in Urias’ last start for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Urias felt the discomfort and went on to pitch two more innings with his usual velocity.
The Dodgers do not yet have a timetable for Urias’ return, though Friedman estimated the recovery to be 12-14 months. “We’ll definitely err on the side of caution,” Friedman added.
Although the rare injury has been associated as career-ending or significantly altering a pitcher’s career, take Johan Santana for example, Friedman is optimistic Urias does not face as grave of a situation.
The labrum and rotator cuff in his left shoulder remain in good standing. Urias’ precious shoulder in essence doesn’t have the same wear and tear of a Michael Pineda or Santana.
Consideration was given to Urias attempting to rehab the injury, but the risk ultimately proved too rich. A lack of previous examples and precedent further dissuaded the Dodgers in electing for a rehabilitation process.
Friedman surmised that would’ve called for Urias to rest four months, then build back up. The total length of the rehab would’ve run eight to 10 months, without any guarantee of success.
What’s more, by opting for surgery next week, the procedure will not include the need to clean up scar tissue. “It makes it that much better and easier of a fix,” Friedman said.
The injury called into question the Dodgers’ cautious and deliberate handling of Urias. Of course, injuries can’t be predicted. But Friedman maintained the organization’s approach still served as a benefit.
“Obviously there are a lot of unknowns,” Friedman said. “I think all of us feel pretty confident if we didn’t protect him at all over the last couple of years, it could’ve happened sooner or in a more significant way.”
