Tigers RHP Joel Zumaya Delays Surgery
SEATTLE (AP) - Detroit Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya will delay surgery on his ailing right elbow for six more weeks in an effort to see if he can pitch this season.
Zumaya, who was moved from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL on Monday, participated in a conference call Wednesday with the Tigers medical staff and noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.
"If he did have a surgical procedure the timetable is not favorable to pitch in 2011," Tigers trainer Kevin Rand. "So Joel has opted to go through another six weeks of rehabilitation to give himself a chance to hopefully pitch later on this summer."
Rand said Zumaya continues to have pain in the tip of his surgically repaired elbow.
Zumaya broke a bone in his right elbow while pitching late last June.
"If that point in time (at the end of six weeks), it is still not favorable," Rand said, "he'll undergo surgery."
Detroit beat the Mariners 3-2 on Wednesday in Seattle.
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