Prior Could Face Elbow Surgery
Mark “Prior will undergo tests Friday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital,” reports the Chicago Tribune (Paul Sullivan, “Prior reinjures elbow,” 7/16/2004). “If it turns out to be a torn ulnar lateral ligament, the Cubs right-hander could face the prospect of undergoing season-ending reconstructive elbow surgery, and returning next July at the earliest.”
Whatever happens, the guy with perfect mechanics has demonstrated that perfect mechanics does not immunize one from arm problems. This is bad news for the Cubs, and bad news for Prior. Get well soon, Mark.
UPDATE (3:40pm): No damage to Prior’s elbow. “There is absolutely no possibility of ‘Tommy John’ or ligament reconstruction or anything like that,” says Jim Hendry. Further test results are pending.