OT: Joel Zumaya Injured Again
The ex-Tiger signed a one year deal with the Twins in the off-season. In his first live BP, he threw 12 pitches and tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. He could elect to have Tommy John surgery, but then is looking at least another year in rehab before being able to try to pitch again.
This is really too bad; he was such a stud as a rookie in 2006 and has been plagued by injury since, pitching less than 40 innings since. Hopefully he can figure out what is best for him and his family moving forward, whether that be electing for the surgery or retiring.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/spring2012/story/_/id/7617885/minnesota-twins-jo…
February 26th, 2012 at 4:52 PM ^
Is anybody surprised? I want him to succeed more than the next guy, but there are some athletes that will never be able to rehabilitate their injuries. See Greg Oden. It's sad, but he should probably move on.
February 26th, 2012 at 4:52 PM ^
I'll never forget watching that arm snap and pop in 2010...
February 26th, 2012 at 4:56 PM ^
Suspect this is probably the end of the line for him.
Hope that Al-Al doesn't completely follow Zoom's career trajectory.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:04 PM ^
White Sox fan this dude was just a killer over the last 3 or 4 seasons. But since the have traded away the whole team or let the best pitcher and coach go to Miami. It doesn't matter much the Tigers are gonna walk away with this Central division this year without any problem at all. Sad for Joel anyway.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:45 PM ^
how baseball, Central Division baseball, and Joel are off topic? Or is it off topic cause I am a Chicago fan?
February 26th, 2012 at 5:04 PM ^
Ugh, I felt horrible when I saw that. Talk about a guy who needs a break. Not the kind he's been getting, either. With Zumaya things like this have always felt completely inevitable. In a way he's our generation's Bird - you know you'll be talking to your kids and grandkids about the legend he would've been. We'll always have 2006, though.
February 27th, 2012 at 8:53 AM ^
I know you're talking baseball when you say "can the guy catch a break", but he's earned over 4.2 million breaks in his MLB endeavor.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:10 PM ^
In other Central division news Indians closer Chris Perez hurt himself throwing today and joins Grady Sizemore on the unlikely to play opening day list.
I'm sorry but why do baseball players seem to get hurt doing the most routine things and then need weeks and weeks of rebab to recover while football and hockey players can get their arms ripped out of their socket and be back in the game after the next time out?
February 26th, 2012 at 5:45 PM ^
Part of it is baseball is a more exacting sport. If you have a blister on your throwing hand and you are a pitcher, you can't pitch. Wouldn't be a problem in football. If something is wrong with your wrist, shoulder, hand, and you can't grip the bat or take a full swing, you can't play, wheras a football player (see Steve Everitt) can play with a broken arm.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:54 PM ^
I agree with your sentiment 100%, but some injuries are just mind baffling. http://www.faniq.com/blog/Brandon-Inge-Of-The-Tigers-Injures-Himself-Lifting-A-Pillow-Blog-9841
February 26th, 2012 at 10:56 PM ^
but what game did Everitt play with a broken arm?
February 27th, 2012 at 9:30 AM ^
Didn't Everitt play many games with a broken jaw? I think he also had a dislocated thumb (mabye broken?) that required him to snap with the opposite hand.
These are just mere details, though. Everitt was a legendary. He was one tough sunofabitch (and followed a very artistic-oriented academic pathway).
February 27th, 2012 at 12:11 PM ^
Yep. Steve Everitt played with a broken jaw.
Reuben Riley at one point was playing with two broken thumbs. Looked silly with both hands in casts but he was out there.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:37 PM ^
Man, that's tough. He was a favorite of mine as a Tiger. I still hoped he'd get back in the league no matter where he was. It's just a damned shame.
February 27th, 2012 at 8:55 AM ^
Yep, that's a tough loss. I have photos from spring training last year with him hitting 102.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:48 PM ^
Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't he hurt himself playing Guitar Hero a few years ago? Serious question.
He has certainly had plenty of bad breaks.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:59 PM ^
He got wrist tendonitis from playing guitar hero. The crazy part is the trainers told him to stop playing or it could cause worse to happen and he ignored them (that bit of information comes straight from him in an interview with the Detroit News). I wish he had better luck as I loved watching him, but when a trainer tells you to stop doing something you stop doing it.
February 26th, 2012 at 9:11 PM ^
Second injury came from lifting boxes at a family member's home in California. I feel terrible for the guy.
February 26th, 2012 at 6:17 PM ^
I never met him but I'm friends with his uncle, we've done some serious drinking and women chasing. Man, he told me some interesting stories about Joel's time in the D. He's just a cool normal kid with really bad luck.
I hope he can get healthy one day, he was one of my favorites for a time there.
February 26th, 2012 at 6:20 PM ^
I always hoped Joel Zumaya would become the Tigers closer. Its a shame to see injuries derail his career.
February 26th, 2012 at 6:28 PM ^
Tough break. I can't believe nearly been 6 years already that he debuted. Time moves too fast.
February 26th, 2012 at 6:31 PM ^
It's amazing that one guy with a freak arm can't stay healthy for more than a few weeks while another guy with a freak arm hasn't had one hint of injury issues (Verlander knock on wood)
February 26th, 2012 at 7:10 PM ^
Guy cannot catch a break, gotta feel for him. Best of luck in the future Joel
February 26th, 2012 at 8:00 PM ^
Damn that sucks. I really feel sorry for the guy, he had such a great future.
February 26th, 2012 at 9:48 PM ^
I really hope he saved some of his money, ala "The Bird." Zumaya is still young relative to the non-professional athlete universe, and can have plenty of success off the field. A few million to invest in a business could be a great start.
February 26th, 2012 at 9:49 PM ^
Zoom-Zoom was one of the many wonderful players that made 2006 so much fun.
February 26th, 2012 at 10:22 PM ^
February 27th, 2012 at 12:30 AM ^
We will always have '06, Joel. Zoomzoom 4 lyfe.
February 27th, 2012 at 8:51 AM ^
He wasn't just anothe good baseball player, like a HR hitter or what have you. He had a unique skill. Being the fastest thrower there is puts you in a category of one. He should be able to make a career or speaking engagements, youth clinics and other things sports greats can do when it's all over.