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Kelvim Escobar, SP ANA



News: MLB.com reports Angels SP Kelvim Escobar disclosed Wednesday that he has a tear in his pitching shoulder and is concerned that it is a career-threatening injury. He added that surgey is a possibility. "I'm concerned -- I don't know what's going to happen," Escobar said. "I don't even know if I'll be able to pitch again." Escobar is coming off one of his best seasons with 18 wins. He was even mentioned as a Cy Young candidate before shoulder inflammation popped up in September. He aggravated the shoulder in December and came to camp in bad shape. He started throwing soft-toss for a week before being shut down Saturday when he felt pain again. "I'm still young," he said. "I'll be 32 in two weeks, but retirement is getting into my head, because it's hard to rehab. I want to be out there playing, and I've done everything I can do to be healthy."



Analysis: Escobar, who is in the second year of a three-year deal, wasn't expected to be back in action until June. He will continue to strengthen the shoulder with workouts, but surgery is still lingering as an option. "They would look at it and fix whatever I have," he said. "But that would take 10 months to recover from. They're not sure I'd be able to come back after surgery. This could be the end of my career." Wow. Escobar's status has taken a horrible turn. He is now in the same boat with Curt Schilling. He is also trying to avoid shoulder surgery, which could also potentially end his career. Schilling is a huge injury-risk option in Fantasy leagues, and now so is Escobar. Even if he doesn't opt for surgery, how strong can his shoulder really be when he returns? Not good news for a guy that was potentially a top 25 Fantasy SP heading into the season.

I honestly don't know what people expected when they drafted him.. I woulda been shocked if he DID play half the season... and that was BEFORE his latest injury

Agree with you Dave, couldnt believe he went 10 in the Vegas auction.dead money

I agree with both Dave and Eddie. Insane that people had this guy as a top 20 SP. The last time he threw more than 190ip(in 04) he followed up that year 59ip in 05. Last year he threw 196ip and guess what? his arm is toasted this year. Not stunning. He has good stuff and is a good pitcher, but maybe instead of blowing his arm out the Halos could have turned him into an in house option to K-Rod and his contract beef. Some guys should be in the bullpen no matter what their "stuff" says. See Rich Harden...

I'm starting to think that Socscia isn't the best manager of arms (Lackey/Esco/Shields/J Weaver in 07) maybe a pattern starting here once Bud Black left. worth tracking maybe.



Best,

Lopi

If you spent a 20th round pick on Escobar, that's a good gamble to me. If you spent a 10th round pick on Escobar, bad gamble.



On a related note, the Harden and Sheets "told-you-so's" can't be far behind.