September 24, 200422 yr Penny Expected To Miss Remainder Of The Season POSTED: 11:47 am EDT September 24, 2004 Los Angeles, CA -- Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brad Penny is expected to miss the remainder of the season because of an irritation to the nerve in his upper right arm. Penny underwent an electromyography Thursday, which confirmed an irritation to the nerve similar to the one originally suffered on August 8. According to trainer Stan Johnston, the injury must heal on its own and surgery is not an option. "He probably stretched the musculocutaneous nerve, which controls movement of the bicep tendon," said Johnston. "We have to let it heal on its own. When he starts throwing again, it will be with a slow, meticulous throwing program, and with enough rest in there, he'll be fine." Johnston stated that the healing process could take two or three months, or possibly longer. Penny was originally placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 9 with a strained biceps in his right arm. He became available to pitch again when rosters were expanded on September 1. The righthander suffered this latest injury in his return to the mound at PETCO Park on Wednesday. Penny threw 75 pitches in three-plus innings, and suffered the loss against the Padres after allowing four runs -- three earned -- on three hits and five walks, while striking out two. After missing badly on a pitch to Jay Payton -- the second batter in the bottom of the fourth inning-- Penny grabbed his arm and motioned to the dugout that he needed to come out of the game.
September 24, 200422 yr baseballprospectus.com Brad Penny is officially done for the season. Tests of his nerve irritation showed that it would take a matter of months, not weeks or days, for him to show any signs of improvement. No one feels that this is career-threatening, something of a good sign. He'll begin a throwing program sometime this winter, leaving the Dodgers to dig for arms while they struggle to hold a playoff spot. The medical staff is coming under some question due to the recurrence of the injury. Why was this not caught before Penny went back on the mound? Were the situations in which they used Penny not accurate simulations of game conditions? More likely, the Dodgers did what some theorized: they gambled. Penny's injury appears to have been so serious at the original point that getting him back required more rest than they had season left. They took as much time as possible, took a shot, and it didn't work. Without more information from the Dodgers, all we're left with is educated guesses. The Dodgers are left short of an ace.
September 24, 200422 yr Remember when the Dodgers coaching and training staffs were regarded as among the best in baseball?
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