Tommy John

The injury that St. Louis Cardinals star pitcher Adam Wainwright suffered in the bullpen during spring training isn't just a big league problem. As baseball season approaches, Little Leaguers and other school-age players should be aware that they can damage their elbows. Dr. Anand M. Murthi, attending orthopedic surgeon and chief of shoulder and elbow surgery at Union Memorial Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, explains the surgery that is sometimes necessary for repairs. It's called ulnar collateral ligament (UCL)

Let's stipulate right now that the Orioles are being open and honest about the Dylan Bundy situation and that there's no reason - at least not yet - to get all hot and bothered over the nagging forearm soreness that has prompted him to seek a second medical opinion from famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Okay, now that we've established that, go ahead and panic. Bundy is a very tough kid who would run through the clubhouse wall if it would get him to the big leagues faster, so if he's saying that there's still something going on with his arm after throwing a relatively low-inpact, flat-ground session at the Orioles' extended spring training facility in Florida, it's not unreasonable to be concerned that the Orioles' top pitching prospect may be looking at some serious down time.

The Orioles continued a makeover of their bullpen today, recalling right-hander Jason Grimsley from his rehab assignment and designating veteran Steve Reed for assignment. Grimsley went 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA and four strikeouts in eight rehab appearances totaling eight innings at Double-A Bowie. He is recovering from ulnar collateral ligament surgery - commonly referred to as Tommy John surgery - performed last October and was on the 60-day disabled list. Grimsley was acquired by the Orioles from Kansas City last season and went 2-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 41 games.

When the Major League Baseball season starts March 31, Brett Harman won't be on a pitcher's mound. Instead, the 23-year-old Westminster resident will be preparing for a career as a physician assistant. But Harman, who had a standout career at Westminster High and the University of Maryland, isn't ready to give up baseball completely. Later this spring, Harman will leave Carroll County for St. Louis, where the right-hander will pitch for the River City Rascals, on the outskirts of St. Louis.

DETROIT -- The Orioles learned yesterday that right-handed starting pitcher Scott Erlckson will require "Tommy John" surgery on the right elbow that has plagued him since last season. The operation, scheduled for today, will be the second in the last six months on the elbow, but will be a far more major procedure. It is expected to mean Erickson will be sidelined through at least most of next season. Erickson, who has been disabled since July 28, left the team in Tampa Sunday afternoon to fly to Los Angeles, where he was examined by Anaheim Angels orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yoeum.

A magnetic resonance imaging on outfielder Marty Cordova's right elbow has revealed a torn flexor tendon, which most likely ends his career with the Orioles and would require another surgery if he wants to continue playing. Team physician Dr. Charles Silberstein will consult with Dr. Charles Yocum, who examined Cordova last week, but the injury has been identified. Cordova, 34, was shut down at extended spring training because of pain in the elbow area. He was swinging a bat as part of his rehabilitation from ligament-reconstructive surgery last year, but still couldn't play the outfield.

The scar creeps down Jason Grimsley's right arm, like a baseball's seams gone straight. Seven inches of stitches tell the tale of an elbow surgically raised from the dead. Grimsley waggled his money arm, albeit gingerly, as if worried the wing would fall off and he would wake from a dream that has left the Orioles' reliever to pitch pain-free for the first time in seven years. He knows he is an anomaly: Grimsley's may be the quickest comeback ever to the majors for a pitcher after elbow ligament reconstruction, commonly known as Tommy John surgery.

Let's stipulate right now that the Orioles are being open and honest about the Dylan Bundy situation and that there's no reason - at least not yet - to get all hot and bothered over the nagging forearm soreness that has prompted him to seek a second medical opinion from famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Okay, now that we've established that, go ahead and panic. Bundy is a very tough kid who would run through the clubhouse wall if it would get him to the big leagues faster, so if he's saying that there's still something going on with his arm after throwing a relatively low-inpact, flat-ground session at the Orioles' extended spring training facility in Florida, it's not unreasonable to be concerned that the Orioles' top pitching prospect may be looking at some serious down time.

When the Major League Baseball season starts March 31, Brett Harman won't be on a pitcher's mound. Instead, the 23-year-old Westminster resident will be preparing for a career as a physician assistant. But Harman, who had a standout career at Westminster High and the University of Maryland, isn't ready to give up baseball completely. Later this spring, Harman will leave Carroll County for St. Louis, where the right-hander will pitch for the River City Rascals, on the outskirts of St. Louis.

Jamie Walker, Orioles reliever How tough is it for the bullpen knowing Chris Ray will likely be out through the 2008 season? I'm trying to be a positive person. It stinks for him, but at least he's got it fixed now. I don't know that much about Tommy John [surgery], but I know people come back from it.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada has overcome a significant hurdle in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Manager Buck Showalter said Thursday that Wada has completed the rehab portion of his return and will now work toward getting game ready. “Now he's going to progress to baseball function ability,” Showalter said after watching Wada throw a bullpen session on Thursday morning. “The breaking ball is going to start. It's exciting watching him throw.

Rehabbing pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada threw another bullpen session on Wednesday morning and reported no problems with his repaired left elbow. He said through his interpreter that he's gradually getting stronger, but he doesn't know when he'll throw next. “My elbow and overall body-wise and conditioning-wise, I do feel stronger," he said. “As time goes by, I'm going to be able to swing my arm faster. It's gradually getting stronger day by day.” Wada is trying to come back from Tommy John surgery nine months ago. The Orioles have been very conservative in projecting his return and continue to point toward June, though he seems to be on pace to pitch a little sooner than that.

Veteran left-hander Randy Wolf, who appeared in five games with the Orioles at the end of this season, will have Tommy John surgery on his left elbow next week and will miss all of 2013. The 36-year-old said in an email Tuesday that this does not mean his career is over. “I won't be able to pitch until 2014, and yes, I will pitch in 2014,” Wolf wrote. Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Los Angeles Angels team doctor who performed the same procedure on Wolf in 2005, will operate on him Oct. 30 in Los Angeles, Wolf said.

PASADENA, Calif. — His career is dwarfed by his incision. "It's the ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction while using the Palmaris longus tendon," he said. "That's why they call it Tommy John surgery. " But it is actually the Frank Jobe surgery. The Dodgers' orthopedist performed the first one in 1974 on John, who recovered to win 20 or more games in three different seasons. He went 6-3 with a 2.65 ERA in 14 playoff games. The career that was supposed to end with one faulty pitch on July 17, 1974, wound up lasting 26 years, one short of the all-time record.

Dan Duquette spoke with reporters during tonight's game in Boston. Here is Duquette on various topics: On the signing of Jamie Moyer to a minor league deal:  “Jamie Moyer is a veteran pitcher and he has been a winning pitcher and we are going to see if he can help us. He is going to take a couple starts at Triple-A, and if he can do well, he then will be in a position where we can put him on the ballclub.” More on Moyer: “He is...

Orioles have made official what we all expected for more than a week now. Lefty Tsuyoshi Wada will have season-ending, Tommy John surgery on May 11 in Los Angeles. “I am very disappointed," Wada said. "I will work hard for the rehab and try to recover to be as strong as I can to help the team win. I appreciate the support from the  Orioles through this process.”  Dr. Lewis Yocum, who took bone spurs out of the Japanese lefty's elbow in 2007, will perform the surgery.

Pro basketball Oberto gives Wizards depth in frontcourt The Washington Wizards say they have signed forward-center Fabricio Oberto, giving the team added frontcourt depth. Oberto, 6 feet 10, 245 pounds, averaged 3.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs traded Oberto to Detroit this summer as part of a five-player deal; the Pistons then waived Oberto. Oberto helped the Spurs win the 2007 NBA title and Argentina win a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics.

Rehabbing pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada threw another bullpen session on Wednesday morning and reported no problems with his repaired left elbow. He said through his interpreter that he's gradually getting stronger, but he doesn't know when he'll throw next. “My elbow and overall body-wise and conditioning-wise, I do feel stronger," he said. “As time goes by, I'm going to be able to swing my arm faster. It's gradually getting stronger day by day.” Wada is trying to come back from Tommy John surgery nine months ago. The Orioles have been very conservative in projecting his return and continue to point toward June, though he seems to be on pace to pitch a little sooner than that.

Injured Orioles left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada is still holding out hope for better news, but one of the team's biggest offseason investments might need Tommy John surgery to repair his left elbow, he said before Thursday's game. Wada has already seen Orioles team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens but is planning to fly to Los Angeles this weekend to see Dr. Lewis Yocum for a second opinion on his elbow. "[My] elbow is feeling better compared to last time I pitched, but the results of the MRI was not so good as I thought it would be," Wada said through interpreter Seob Yoon . "So I'm going to get a second opinion, see [what]

Injured Orioles left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada is still holding out hope for better news, but one of the team's top offseason acquisitions might need Tommy John surgery to repair his left elbow, he told reporters through his interpreter before Thursday's game. Wada has already seen Orioles team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens but is planning to fly to Los Angeles this weekend to see Dr. Lewis Yocum for a second opinion on his elbow. Yocum knows Wada well. He performed his physical before the Orioles signed Wada to a two-year, $8.14 million contract and also removed chips from his elbow in 2007.