A.J. Pollock To Undergo Surgery For Fractured Right Elbow

[BrewCrewFan]

Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock will undergo surgery for a fractured right elbow, the club announced. Pollock suffered the injury sliding into home in tonight’s spring action.

Pollock has emerged as one of the game’s least-known stars over the past two seasons, and his loss represents an enormous blow to the organization’s hopes to challenge for a division title in 2016. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out, but any significant stretch would be nothing short of devastating. He had already dealt with some elbow issues this spring, but seemed to be on track for Opening Day.

The 28-year-old had a short but highly promising 2014 season, and followed up with an outstanding campaign last year. He ended the season with a .315/.367/.498 slash over 673 plate appearances while contributing twenty home runs and 39 steals. And Pollock also rated as a top-notch defender, making for an overall package — valued last year at 7.4 rWAR and 6.6 fWAR — that is all but impossible to replace, particularly with the season set to begin in a matter of days.

Even as the D-Backs set out to re-make their rotation this winter, they understandably remained entirely unwilling to part with Pollock. Instead, the club explored long-term extension talks before ultimately settling on a two-year, $10.25MM pact. He is still controllable for one more season after that contract concludes.

While the club held onto Pollock, it parted with the emergent Ender Inciarte (and other notable assets) to acquire Shelby Miller. Certainly, Inciarte would be an invaluable depth option to have on hand now, though the club does have interesting youngster in Socrates Brito on hand. He had already challenged for a roster spot and looked to be an option if Yasmany Tomas does not take a step forward, but may need to take on a bigger role while Pollock recovers.

MLBTR

Big loss for the D-Backs.

 

[Big Papi]

Seriously? Sometimes I hate spring training. A big impact name is now out before the season starts, hope he isn't out all season.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

 

[catman]

A real shame. I hope he recovers quickly. The D'Backs need him in center.

 

[PWNdroia]

Not good. I like this guy. He comes from my home town and we were in the same high school at one time.

 

[Raindelay]

Huge loss, wish him a speedy recovery.

 

[Nonsense]

Tough break for AJ, turns out he had no business being out there to begin with. With lingering elbow issues.

 

[anfield]

My Road the the Show character is stuck behind Pollock in AAA. Call him up, meat!