No name has failed to strike more fear into the hearts of starting pitchers than Tommy John. Pitchers with elbow / arm issues will often pray that doctors avoid even mutteing his name.
Why? Tommy John surgery routinely involves missing at least a full season of baseball.
It used to be considered a career-killer, but as time has passed more and more players are making successful recoveries from the procedure. Erik Bedard, Justin Verlander and Jason Isringhausen are just a few names that have undergone the procedure and proceeded to regain ace billing, proving that you can come back from Tommy John strong than ever.
Fantasy owners looking to 2008 are probably aware of the big-names sitting on the draft-board currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. You may have plenty of questions about these players and what to expect from them this season, which is why Update! compiled some of the more recognizable pitchers in baseball in order to give you the goods on those who have been Tommy-Knocked:
Comment: Carpenter burned plenty of fantasy owners last year. He underwent Tommy John surgery in July after pitching just one game last season. While Carpenter has reported no set-backs in his rehab, he's expected to miss most, if not all, of 2008. He has an outside shot of returning after the All Star break, but even if he does return, he'll have to work to regain his dominant form. Fantasy owners should aviod Carpenter in fantasy drafts unless they have a ton of roster space to work with.
Comment: Mike Hampton hasn't pitched in a major league game since 2005, and Braves officials let out a collective sigh when Hampton had his 2007 Winter League season cut short due to a right hamstring injury. He's had two major elbow procedures since 2005, yet fantasy owners may want to risk spending a late-round draft pick on him this year; he enters 2008 in a potential walk-year. We say "potential" because there is a club option on the historic mega-deal that he signed before the 2001 season with Colorado that gives the Braves a $20 million option. There's no way the Braves are going to pick up that option, even if it means buying him out for $6 million (which is their only alternative). Hampton is expected to be fully healthy heading into Spring Training and has proven to be a valuable pitcher in the past. Tread with caution, but you could do worse in the latter part of your fantasy draft.
Comment: The Cisco Kid was remarkable in 2006, posting elite numbers in his rookie season. Yet the incredible torque he put on his arm led to major elbow issues that cut his season short and forced him to have Tommy John surgery in November of 2006. Fantasy owners will be thrilled to know that his rehab is going great and he has not suffered any setbacks. He's should be at full-strength for Spring Training and should have a rotation spot ready for him at the start of the regular season. If Liriano can let it fly in 2008 like he did in 2006, he could finish as one of the best pitchers in baseball. Drafting Liriano comes with a bit of risk, but it also has huge potential rewards.
Comment: Ryan, like Carpenter, disappointed fantasy owners in 2007. He had Tommy John surgery in May of 2007 and is hoping to be ready by opening day. However, seeing how players like Octavio Dotel and Eddie Guardado have struggled coming back without a full year of recovery time after Tommy John surgery, Ryan may have a tough road ahead of him. The Blue Jays enjoyed great production from their bullpen last year, so they should have the flexibility to handle Ryan with care. That being said, since they are paying him so much money ($10 million this year), the Blue Jays are expected to put him back into the closer's role as soon as he's ready. Fantasy owners can feel free to take a flier on Ryan, but you should anticipate some hiccups this season as he tries to regain his dominant 2006 form.
Why? Tommy John surgery routinely involves missing at least a full season of baseball.
It used to be considered a career-killer, but as time has passed more and more players are making successful recoveries from the procedure. Erik Bedard, Justin Verlander and Jason Isringhausen are just a few names that have undergone the procedure and proceeded to regain ace billing, proving that you can come back from Tommy John strong than ever.
Fantasy owners looking to 2008 are probably aware of the big-names sitting on the draft-board currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. You may have plenty of questions about these players and what to expect from them this season, which is why Update! compiled some of the more recognizable pitchers in baseball in order to give you the goods on those who have been Tommy-Knocked:
CHRIS CARPENTER
St. Louis Cardinals, RPComment: Carpenter burned plenty of fantasy owners last year. He underwent Tommy John surgery in July after pitching just one game last season. While Carpenter has reported no set-backs in his rehab, he's expected to miss most, if not all, of 2008. He has an outside shot of returning after the All Star break, but even if he does return, he'll have to work to regain his dominant form. Fantasy owners should aviod Carpenter in fantasy drafts unless they have a ton of roster space to work with.
MIKE HAMPTON
Atlanta Braves, SPComment: Mike Hampton hasn't pitched in a major league game since 2005, and Braves officials let out a collective sigh when Hampton had his 2007 Winter League season cut short due to a right hamstring injury. He's had two major elbow procedures since 2005, yet fantasy owners may want to risk spending a late-round draft pick on him this year; he enters 2008 in a potential walk-year. We say "potential" because there is a club option on the historic mega-deal that he signed before the 2001 season with Colorado that gives the Braves a $20 million option. There's no way the Braves are going to pick up that option, even if it means buying him out for $6 million (which is their only alternative). Hampton is expected to be fully healthy heading into Spring Training and has proven to be a valuable pitcher in the past. Tread with caution, but you could do worse in the latter part of your fantasy draft.
FRANCISCO LIRIANO
Minnesota Twins, RPComment: The Cisco Kid was remarkable in 2006, posting elite numbers in his rookie season. Yet the incredible torque he put on his arm led to major elbow issues that cut his season short and forced him to have Tommy John surgery in November of 2006. Fantasy owners will be thrilled to know that his rehab is going great and he has not suffered any setbacks. He's should be at full-strength for Spring Training and should have a rotation spot ready for him at the start of the regular season. If Liriano can let it fly in 2008 like he did in 2006, he could finish as one of the best pitchers in baseball. Drafting Liriano comes with a bit of risk, but it also has huge potential rewards.
B.J. RYAN
Toronto Blue Jays, RPComment: Ryan, like Carpenter, disappointed fantasy owners in 2007. He had Tommy John surgery in May of 2007 and is hoping to be ready by opening day. However, seeing how players like Octavio Dotel and Eddie Guardado have struggled coming back without a full year of recovery time after Tommy John surgery, Ryan may have a tough road ahead of him. The Blue Jays enjoyed great production from their bullpen last year, so they should have the flexibility to handle Ryan with care. That being said, since they are paying him so much money ($10 million this year), the Blue Jays are expected to put him back into the closer's role as soon as he's ready. Fantasy owners can feel free to take a flier on Ryan, but you should anticipate some hiccups this season as he tries to regain his dominant 2006 form.
