It's only a week into the MLB season, and teams are already dealing with injured players. Joining the New York Mets on the hurt pitcher front would be their NL East rival Miami Marlins. On Thursday, it was announced that pitcher Eury Perez will have Tommy John surgery and thus miss the rest of the season.
The right-hander first experienced soreness in his right elbow on March 14. He was diagnosed with mild elbow inflammation before feeling tightness, which prompted a second visit to the doctor in two weeks. Now, he's set for surgery on Monday.
"I know Eury is really frustrated," Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said. "He's really disappointed, but he also understands that this is a minor setback in what's going to be a really long career. It's been a bit of a roller coaster. Initially having the frustration of the elbow soreness and followed by the positive outlook on you don't need surgery right now. There was an understanding that the ligament was not in great shape and essentially, you can pitch with it until you can't, and nobody knows when that's going to be. You have to try and see when the symptoms return. And unfortunately, that happened now. Better now than in the middle of the season."
Perez was a rookie last year, but his season was cut short due to inflammation in his left SI joint. In 19 starts last year, he was 5-6 with a 3.15 ERA and 108 strikeouts.
Perez's absence will hurt a Marlins rotation already plagued by injuries. Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara is still sidelined after having Tommy John surgery last October, Braxton Garrett is out with a left shoulder impingement, and Edward Cabrera is on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement. However, Cabrera has begun a rehab assignment, so he could be back soon.
The Marlins are winless in seven games, and Perez's absence clearly will not help them get back on track any quicker.
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