Pirates prospect Barthmaier to have elbow surgery
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NEW YORK -- Pitcher Jimmy Barthmaier, a Pirates prospect and member of their 40-man roster, will have major reconstructive surgery on his right elbow Tuesday and miss the entire season.
The procedure, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, will be performed by Dr. James Andrews, noted orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, Ala., and it will address significant ligament damage. A full recovery usually takes 10 months.
Barthmaier, 25, was 0-2 with a 10.45 ERA in three starts for the Pirates last season. He opened this season with Class AAA Indianapolis and made only one start -- walking the only two batters he faced -- before being shut down April 11 by what was diagnosed at the time as elbow tendinitis.
His placement on the 60-day disabled list -- not yet official -- will open a spot on the now-full 40-man roster.
First Published May 8, 2009 7:27 pm
