When Lance Lynn underwent Tommy John surgery, the Cardinals appeared to be as prepared as a major league team can be to absorb the loss of an entire season from a starting pitcher slash innings eater.
Adam Wainwright was back in the rotation after missing most of the 2015 season. They went out and signed Mike Leake to a large contract. Jaime Garcia, Mike Wacha and Carlos Martinez rounded out the rotation.
Further, the Cards had options for depth.
Marco Gonzalez, Tim Cooney, Tyler Lyons and Alex Reyes were all superb AAA options for either spot starts or even an extended stay to the rotation without much (if any) drop off.
And while everything in The Bigs is fine and dandy at the moment… the starting pitching depth has evaporated.
Tyler Lyons made the 25 man roster as a reliever. Alex Reyes is currently serving a 50-game suspension for a failed drug test. Tim Cooney is on the DL with shoulder issues. And Marco Gonzales? Welp…
General manager John Mozeliak said Gonzales, after meeting with two doctors about the soreness in his left elbow, is still deliberating with his family and agent about his options, which include Tommy John surgery for the ligament.
I’m not a doctor. But I’ve heard Mo talk enough to know that if he’s throwing out the words ‘Tommy’ and ‘John’ in a sentence, then surgery is more than just coffee talk around the training table.
Marco Gonzales still conferring with advisers, family, trying to determine between elbow surgery or non-surgical rehab. #cardinals #MLB
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) April 11, 2016
I get it.
Worrying about future injuries to a team is about as productive as worrying about the weather. Not much you can do. And it’s not like any Cardinals starter has had any issues thus far. So settle down.
You’re right.
It’s just something to note as the season moves along.
Get well soon, Maro and Tim. And for that matter, any number of Cardinals that are currently on the DL.
Photo: Rawlings
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