09/08/2008 9:24 PM ET
Schmidt to have more shoulder surgery
Right-hander unable to pitch pain-free in rehab assignments
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/ticketing/index.jsp?c_id=la
SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers pitcher Jason Schmidt, injured all season in a failed attempt to return from last June's career-threatening shoulder surgery, will undergo another operation Wednesday on a different part of the shoulder.
Schmidt, 35, will have an arthroscopic procedure to remove scar tissue and address arthritic change in his acromio-clavicular joint, where the collarbone meets the scapula (shoulder blade). That's the area where Schmidt said he's had the most discomfort in his latest attempt to return.
A common surgical approach for such a condition is to remove the damaged tip of the clavicle, which was not involved in last year's surgery. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed Schmidt's operation last year, will perform this one. The club said Schmidt would be able to resume throwing in six weeks.
In two aborted Minor League rehabilitation assignments, Schmidt reported he was never able to pitch completely pain-free and said over the weekend that his most recent discomfort is centered in the A/C joint area. He said he was committed to having the surgery if that's what's needed for him to return to the mound next year, the final one of his contract.
Schmidt signed a three-year, $47 million deal during the Winter Meetings of 2006 to be the workhorse of the starting rotation, but he reported to his first Dodgers Spring Training and never looked right. He lacked velocity and command in games and even noticed his long-tosses weren't going very long, something he described as "the first tipoff" of trouble. He still insists the aches and pains he experienced last spring were no worse than in previous years.
With much expected from Schmidt as the centerpiece of offseason changes, he made only six regular-season starts, went 1-4 with a 6.31 ERA and underwent exploratory surgery June 20. ElAttrache repaired a labrum tear, a frayed biceps tendon and cleaned up scarring in the bursa sac. The labrum tear was not anticipated and was the most severe of the three injuries, requiring anchors to reattach it to the bone and a lengthy recovery time to ensure it won't detach.
The labrum is cartilage that forms a cup in the ball-and-socket shoulder joint, allowing the head of the upper arm a wide range of motion. The tear, common among pitchers, was at the posterior rim of the shoulder socket. The biceps tendon attaches into the shoulder socket and the bursa decreases friction between the tendon and bone. The combination of damage was believed responsible for Schmidt's dramatic loss of velocity.
Schmidt came to training camp this spring encouraged and the club joined him after a very impressive initial bullpen session, but that triggered a major setback with discomfort down his arm. He worked his way back for a pair of Minor League rehabilitation assignments, pitching in four games from June 28 through July 13, shutting down for six weeks, then making another attempt Aug. 29, before being shut down for the season.
Penny, Furcal & Saito possibly coming back really soon
Schmidt & Andruw Jones =
(You can ignore these articles ironman)
