Bronson Arroyo’s surgery has impacted his retirement plans

Jun 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (61) delivers a pitch in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Dbacks were dealt yet another injury blow that has defined the 2014 season. Starter Bronson Arroyo who they acquired in the offseason after failing to acquire Masahiro Tanaka who of course signed with the Yankees. Arroyo known for his durabilty had never gone to the D.L in his career before this year, but he was dealing with injury issues in spring training. Now he will have Tommy John Surgery after fully tearing his UCL. He should be back and ready to go this time next year. Many experts in the media believe that Arroyo’s career is over. Arroyo sees it differently and he is determined to come back.

So much so, he thinks he can pitch for years to come. Before the injury he thought he would retire when he turns 39, the same time that his 2 year contract with Arizona is up. But not any more. Arroyo spoke to MLB.com about his surprising plans: “I was thinking I might retire at 39 when this [two-year] contract is up, but not anymore,” said the veteran right-hander, who is 37. “If I’m going to spend a year rehabbing, I’m going to pitch until I’m 45 if I can. Let’s see how it goes.”

That is surprising. Even though he doesn’t throw hard, which should benefit him long term and even though he will recover faster than most if he doesn’t have to many setbacks, there is no way he is going to play till he is 45, but he could pitch long after his surgery is over. I dont believe that his career is necessarily over with this injury.

Arroyo joins Daniel Hudson, Patrick Corbin, Matt Renyolds, and David Hernandez who are all at different stages of their Tommy John rehab. Daniel is just starting to throw again according to Kirk Gibson and he could be back by September. Matt Reynolds and David Hernandez dont really have a timetable for when they could return.

The bottom line is that Major League baseball needs to do something about the Tommy John Surgery. It is an epidemic in this sport.