Mark Prior may require Tommy John surgery

[Transmogrifier]

Let's stop this curse stuff. Sheesh.

I'm not going to worry till I see the report. At least I spent a second rounder on him...

And I said I wouldn't pick an SP in the first three rounds this year, until Prior fell to me... ah, well.

[mtarail]

The more I hear about Prior the more I start to believe the rumor. It just seems like a injury that the team REPORTS he has cannot be serious enough to put him out this late. Out until Early June AT LEAST is my prediction.

I don't understand this. If the Tommy John rumor is true (and I really doubt that it is) then he obviously won't pitch this year.

[Guest]

Cubs today dismissed this as an "internet rumor" on the WGN broadcast. They said his elbow ligaments are completely healthy.

[hybrid]

just because he hasn't come along as quickly as people would like, you begin to believe these rumors that have nothing to back them up? his achillies made it so he could not throw as early as he would of liked, when he started it acted up so they shut him down. mix in a couple set backs and this is what it looks like, i think people are underestimating how long it takes for a pitcher to get in season form especially with what has happened to him. he has said he usually starts getting ready for the season in january to be ready, so basically 3 months for him. i think it's odd that despite not having the arm strength and his setbacks people expect him back so soon when it takes 3 months when he is completely healthy. i would personally say the safest bet is around the all star break and if he comes back any sooner consider it a bonus.

[fiz]

couldnt have said it better hybrid

[phatjagz14]

agreed

[Guest]

From CBS Sportsline...

Dusty Baker denies Prior rumors

Mark Prior, SP CHC

News: Cubs manager Dusty Baker vehemently shot down the report in Sunday's Newark Star-Ledger that he is confiding to close friends that Mark Prior's injury status is "bleak" and that anonymous "baseball executives" say Prior might need Tommy John surgery. "I guess somebody is trying to start something," Baker said. "People are saying I'm telling intimate friends that? I don't have any intimate friends like that I'd tell, No. 1, and No. 2, it's a lie. That's as big a lie as I've ever heard, and I wish whoever started this or wrote this would leave my name out of it."

Analysis: As expected, it sounds like talk that Prior's injury is severe enough to require Tommy John surgery is pure rumor. However, he's still pretty much at the rehabilitation stage where most pitchers were at when spring training opened, so his return is in the fairly distant future. Monitor Prior's situation closely, as it's unlikely he'll be ready to help a Fantasy team in the next month or two.

[mikey]

From SportingNews:

The team's web site reports the Cubs laughed off rumors that Prior needs Tommy John surgery. Prior has been working his way back from an Achilles' tendond injury, and the team claims his arm is fine other than not having the built-up strength to start the season yet.

Fantasy Source spin: It's a good thing that the Cubs can laugh it off; fantasy owners are getting pretty ticked by Prior's absence. After initially saying Prior could be back in mid-May, the team has backed away from setting a date for his return. That isn't a good sign for folks hoping he'll be on the mound in May. (Rob Hurtt/TSN)

[PacmanJr]

Further, Prior was asked point blank on Chicago local news about TJ surgery and he said it was BS.

[jayman]

I said this way back in Sept.:

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I can't stand Dusty (as a manager, I'm sure he's a great person). He over uses Prior all the time. I mean, the guy gets three weeks off (DL), comes back fresh and DOMINATES... then Dusty lets him throw 130 pitches in a game that the Cubs are winning 7-1? The next two starts Prior wasn't so great... and I really need him.

Well, tonight it's the Mets and I hope the Cubs win and I hope Dusty doesn't let Prior throw a ton of pitches.
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