Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo will miss at least his next few starts after being placed on the disabled list due to “right shoulder bicep tendinitis.” An exact return date has yet to be announced.
Continue for updates.
Gallardo’s Diagnosis, Treatment Revealed
Monday, April 25
Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reported the Orioles are “encouraged” by Gallardo’s MRI, noting there was “nothing new” revealed by the test.
Ghiroli also said Gallardo will “probably get an injection and rest for now.”
Showalter Comments After Gallardo Placed on DL
Sunday, April 24
The Orioles announced Saturday that Gallardo was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
“Until we get the MRI and [team orthopedist] Dr. [Michael] Jacobs sees it, you don’t know exactly what it is,” said Orioles manager Buck Showalter, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). “I don’t think anybody knows what’s causing the symptoms he has. It’s not acute pain or anything. It was just general weakness there.”
Orioles GM Comments on Gallardo’s Recovery
Saturday, April 23
General manager Dan Duquette provided more insight as to the team’s plans for the right-hander, per MASN’s Roch Kubatko: “Hopefully (Gallardo) will respond to a period of rest and rehabilitation and return to contribute to the team.”
Gallardo Comments on Injury
Friday, April 22
After the game, he discussed how his shoulder was giving him problems on the mound, per the Baltimore Sun‘s Eduardo A. Encina:
My shoulder just didn’t feel right. To be honest, it was one of those feelings that I’ve never had my whole career. I’ve never had any issues with my shoulder and I hadn‘t been. For some reason, in the bullpen it just didn’t feel right. I wasn‘t able to extend to get that release point. I think that’s why the ball was just up and all over the place. Felt like the ball was coming out of my hand and the strength wasn‘t there. Hopefully it wasn‘t anything serious.
Gallardo only lasted two innings in his last start—a 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Friday night:
Gallardo’s Velocity Dipping in 2016 from 2015
The injury is concerning since shoulder/elbow fatigue can foreshadow a much larger problem, such as a need for Tommy John surgery. According to BrooksBaseball.net, Gallardo‘s fastball velocity is 87.95 mph through four starts in 2016. That’s nearly a four mph drop from 2015, another worrying sign.
While the extent of his shoulder issues remain unknown, major surgery is at least a possibility.
Showalter won’t need to worry about finding a replacement for Gallardo in the rotation, with Kevin Gausman set to take the hill Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Gausman made 17 starts and appeared in 25 games last year, finishing 4-7 with a 4.25 ERA. Once considered a top prospect in MLB, the 25-year-old has yet to fulfill those massive expectations. Especially if Gallardo is forced to miss a long period of time, the Orioles will need Gausman to take a major step in his development.
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