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Pirates' Duke to seek second opinion on elbow
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Tests taken today by the Pirates' medical staff showed starter Zach Duke has no ligament damage in his ailing left elbow and will not require surgery. But he will seek a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, the noted orthopedist, Friday, in Birmingham, Ala.
If the Pirates' diagnosis holds up, Duke will avoid throwing for two weeks, then begin a rehabilitation program of long-tossing, bullpen sessions and, ultimately, starts in minor-league games.
"It's good news," manager Jim Tracy said. "No tearing of any kind."
Duke underwent an arthrogram, a procedure in which dye is injected into the affected area to enhance the medical images. If dye leaks, that usually is a sign of a tear. There was no leakage on Duke's scan.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First Published July 2, 2007 4:43 pm
