Article published April 11, 2008
MUD HENS NOTEBOOK
McBride scheduled for surgery, out for season
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Macay McBride's 2008 season consisted of one inning.
A visit to Dr. David Altchek in New York yesterday revealed a small tear in McBride's ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. McBride said he will undergo Tommy John surgery sometime next week and will miss the rest of the season.
"I'll be ready hopefully sometime next spring," said McBride, a 25-year-old left-hander. "This is good because at least I won't miss two seasons."
McBride was first examined by Detroit Tigers orthopedic specialist Dr. Stephen Lemos this week, and an MRI showed the ligament was stretched - which could require surgery but may also be healed through rehabilitation.
But when an MRI taken by Dr. Altchek, the New York Mets' medical director, showed the ligament was torn, McBride said his choice to have surgery was easy.
McBride made 38 appearances in relief for the Tigers and Atlanta Braves last year, but was going to be used as a starter in Toledo. He was pulled from his start in Saturday's game after one inning, and said he felt discomfort in his elbow during spring training."There's not a whole lot you can say to somebody in this situation except 'good luck,'•" Hens manager Larry Parrish said. "This is something you go through playing our game, and you've got to get the surgery done and start the rehab."
McBride was cleaning out his locker last night while his teammates were packing for their trip to Buffalo.
He said he thinks Dr. Lemos will do his surgery.
McBride's 2008 pitching line: one inning, one hit, no runs.
NO MAN'S LAND: To make room for reliever Ian Ostlund on the Toledo roster yesterday, right hander Matt Righter was assigned to short-season Single-A Oneonta.
Righter hasn't pitched that low in the Tigers' farm system since 2004, but Parrish said he is with Oneonta in case something happens to a pitcher with the Hens or Double-A Erie. The Tigers sent Righter to Oneonta instead of shaking up the rosters of their Single-A, Double-A, or Triple-A teams - all of them higher in rank than Oneonta.
By getting sent to Oneonta, Righter will pitch in the Tigers' extended spring training program in Lakeland, Fla., until his services are needed elsewhere. Oneonta's season doesn't begin until the middle of June.
GETTING CLOSE: New Hens left-handed pitcher Casey Fossum threw about 50 pitches on the side yesterday and hopes to be taken off the temporary inactive list tomorrow.
Fossum signed with the Tigers this week after getting cut by the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of spring training. He said he only threw five innings for the Pirates this spring and needs to build arm strength. Parrish said Fossum looked good and could be activated this weekend.
A LOOK AHEAD: The Hens will begin their first road trip of 2008 today when they travel to Buffalo for four games against the Bisons - Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate.
After that, Toledo will move on to Allentown, Pa., to take on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, a new team and the Philadelphia Phillies' affiliate.
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