TEMPE, AZ – Angels pitcher Griffin Canning spoke with reporters on Friday morning after getting an MRI on his elbow after experience soreness on Wednesday. Canning pitched two scoreless innings and told the Angels staff he experienced elbow soreness.
An MRI on Thursday revealed Canning has “chronic changes” to the UCL as well as acute joint irritation. He is schedule to visit a doctor this weekend to determine what the next steps are.
With this type of injury no one can rule out the possibility of Tommy John surgery. Angels manager Joe Maddon said it would be a significant blow if Canning couldn’t return to the team this season. Although Maddon remains somewhat optimistic, yet understand how the absence affects the depth of the pitching.
“Normally when you hear elbow or other stuff, it’s either good and it’s a strain, or it’s awful and he’s out for a year and a half,” Maddon said. “They haven’t really committed to either side yet.”
The Angels have guys who they can fit into starters, Jose Suarez, Patrick Sandoval, Dillon Peters, Matt Andries, JC Ramirez, and Jose Suarez. Shohei Ohtani, who is currently healthy and coming off of Tommy John surgery won’t pitch until mid-May, and his innings will be monitored.
The Angels will have to find answers rather quickly to solve their pitching problem or it will be a very long season on the mound in Anaheim.
