Scott Proctor’s Arm Finally Gives Up
By Mike Silva ~ October 13th, 2008. Filed under: Mike Silva.
MLB.com reports that Dodgers pitcher Scott Proctor will have elbow surgery to repair a partially-torn flexor tendon and will have a bone spur in the back of his elbow shaved down.
The running joke here in New York, when Proctor was with the Yankees, was that Joe Torre would destroy his arm with over usage. Its almost comical how Proctor was followed to LA by Torre. There is even a Yankees blog called Scott Proctor’s Arm. You have to admit, 2006 and 2007 were years where Proctor had heavy usage. In both seasons he pitched in 83 games, including a whopping 102 innings in 2006. This was not a case of simply being brought in for one batter, but a pitcher going out their daily for multiple innings.
We all know Torre was never a “master” of managing a bullpen, but with the change in how the game is played will we see more back end of the bullpen relievers have their arms implode?
The Mets had two relievers pitch over 80 games this season: Pedro Feliciano and Joe Smith. Neither approached the innings total that Proctor had in 2006 to 2007. No Yankees pitcher even hit 70 games under Joe Girardi this season.
It makes me wonder if its the usage or the mechanics of the pitcher. You heard some commentary on this site about the deliveries of pitchers like AJ Burnett and John Maine. Would Proctor fall into that category? Was it the overusage or the fact his mechanics put his arm at increased risk?
I am no expert, but you have to wonder if its the latter.
October 13th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Mechanics are always more important than usage – unless of course the usage is atrocious. Mike Marshall did pitch 208 inings in 106 relief appearances in 1974 and his arm is still sound.
In fact, it was Dr. Marshall who first told Tommy John what was wrong with his elbow.
Funny, but Tanyon Sturtze was also overused by Torre, had shoulder surgery and then, after a brief stint in Atlanta, went out to pitch for Torre in LA.