By: Tyler Ward
Detroit Tigers RP Joel Zumaya is officially out for the rest of the season. In Monday's Tigers-Twins game, Zumaya threw a 99 mph fastball to Minnesota's Delmon Young and then collapsed to the ground, wincing in pain. Trainers and Manager Jim Leyland immediately ran out to the mound to see what had happened. TV cameras showed the trainers looking at Zumaya's injury, while his right hand was trembling.
He could barely walk off the field while favoring his right arm. Jim Leyland stated on Tuesday that "It's not good. I wasn't sure exactly what happened, we're still not exactly sure. I don't think it does us any good to speculate at this time, but it obviously doesn't look good. It's an awful bad feeling when you see something like that happen to anybody." The news is grim for Detroit as they lose arguably, their best Relief Pitcher.
Zumaya, 2-1, has a steady 2.58 ERA in 38 1/3 innings this year. He is perhaps known as one of the hardest throwers in baseball right now.
Over his career, Zumaya has been somewhat injury prone. This is the third season in a row he has been sidelined for an extended amount of time.
2007/08: In late September 2007, Zumaya was helping his father retrieve items from the attic when there was a fire less than two miles away from their residence. While trying to help, an estimated 50-60 pound box fell on Zumaya's shoulder. The doctors later found out that it was separated. His injury required shoulder surgery and would go on to miss half of the 2008 season.
2009: On March 29, 2009, Zumaya injured his right shoulder and was then placed on the 15-day disabled list. He was reactivated late in April and hoped to help the Tigers. On July 18, against the Yankees, it was reported that Zumaya couldn't even move his right arm. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list again. He had surgery on his arm in August and was officially done for the rest of the 2009 season.
2010: Shatters his right shoulder on a throw to Delmon Young. He immediately collapsed to the ground in severe pain and was helped walk off the field. The next day, it was reported he would miss the rest of the season.
Although Zumaya has had a history of injuries, he is still a very good young pitcher. I feel confident saying that he will return next year and contribute to a good Detroit Tigers team. But, for the rest of the year, he's going to have to watch from the dugout as he will not be coming back on the field for the rest of the season. Too bad.
Here's a video of Zumaya's 2010 injury:
