OC Register: Angels, Griffin Canning wait for elbow injury update

[AngelsWin.com]

TEMPE, Ariz. — The first round of testing gave the Angels some hope Griffin Canning can avoid surgery on his balky elbow, although they will have to wait until an exam Saturday to get more definitive news.

The Angels announced Friday that the pitcher’s MRI exam a day earlier had showed “chronic changes” in his ulnar collateral ligament, along with “acute joint irritation.”

While there’s no evidence so far of a tear in the ligament that would require surgery, Canning and the Angels aren’t yet in the clear.

Manager Joe Maddon, who spoke more openly than Canning or general manager Billy Eppler about the situation, said his understanding is it still “could go either way.”

“Normally when you hear elbow or other stuff, it’s either good and it’s a strain, or it’s awful and he’s out for a year and a half,” Maddon said. “They haven’t really committed to either side yet.”

Maddon also said: “There’s still some hope, which I thought was good. I just want to dwell on that.”

Canning, 23, had been shut down for the final six weeks of last season with elbow inflammation. At the time, an MRI also showed “chronic changes,” which is simply a description for wear that comes with use. With the Angels out of the race, it made no sense to push it, so they let him rest until November.

Canning said at the start of spring training that he’d been throwing without issue for months, and he was 100%. After his first outing of the spring Wednesday, a two-inning stint against the Dodgers, he said his elbow “stiffened up a little bit.” He said it was the same thing he felt last year.

Asked his level of concern Friday morning after the MRI, he said: “I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow. So we’re still trying to pinpoint it.”

Eppler stuck close to the official statement, without giving any estimates about what may happen after further tests and examination.

“There’s a question mark hanging over one of our guys,” he said. “We’ll get more information and go from there.”

Eppler also was asked if the past 24 hours had created an increased desire to sign any additional pitching depth or to look into a trade.

“At this time, no,” Eppler said, adding this is “not a very popular time of the year for trades.”

The Angels had been counting on Canning to begin the season as one of their top four starters, along with Andrew Heaney, Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran. They also have Shohei Ohtani, who is currently healthy but won’t pitch until mid-May because the Angels are limiting his innings in the wake of his Tommy John surgery.

Beyond that, they have Jaime Barria, Jose Suarez, Patrick Sandoval, Dillon Peters and Matt Andriese who are healthy and being stretched out as starters. Felix Peña is working back from knee surgery, so he likely would need some time in the minors before he’s built up enough to start. The Angels also signed JC Ramirez and will stretch him out as a starter.

“Listen, there are some nice candidates but some of these kids if you have to rely on them too early it’s not what you want to do,” Maddon said. “You like (for them to have the) opportunity to learn their craft better before you put them out there on a regular basis. And then you have a much better chance of success. So yes, our depth is being challenged right now, and on Saturday we’ll find out if our depth is tested a lot or a little.”

The Angels have needed all the depth they could get because in past seasons the rotation has been ravaged by injuries, often with four or five starters hurt at the same time.

Now there is a question over Canning and Teheran missed his first start with hamstring tightness. Teheran was scheduled for a bullpen session Friday and could pitch in a game as soon as Monday.

Related Articles

• Angels blanked by Padres despite using full lineup
• Angels’ Griffin Canning set for MRI to check on elbow issue
• Dodgers erupt for 6 runs in eighth inning to beat Angels
• Local product Jose Rojas looks to complete underdog story and make the big leagues
• Angels’ Julio Teheran says hamstring tightness is ‘nothing big’

“Right now, there are just one or two situations and that’s a little easier to deal with,” Eppler said. “When you start dealing with three or four situations, the ice gets pretty thin.”

That was part of the impetus toward signing Teheran and Bundy, who have been among the most durable pitchers in the majors the past few years. Teheran has made at least 30 starts for seven consecutive seasons, and Bundy has started 89 games games the past three years.

“The things we always talk about are availability and productivity,” Eppler said. “That availability component of the equation is the thing that’s been tested and has exposed us a couple different times over the last couple seasons. Addressing the availability component of that was important.”

ALSO

Sandoval, who was slowed for a few days earlier in the spring because of the flu, said he is scheduled for his spring training debut with a couple innings on Sunday. Sandoval said he has time to be ready when the season begins…

The Angels had Bobby Grich in camp as a guest instructor on Friday. Maddon has emphasized the importance of having Angels alumni participate this spring. They’ve already had Wally Joyner, Frank Tanana and J.T. Snow help with the workouts and speak to the players.

View the full article