Posted at 9:13 a.m., Thursday, November 1, 2007
Baseball: Tigers RHP Zumaya has shoulder surgery
Associated Press
DETROIT — Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya is expected to be sidelined until midseason after injuring his throwing shoulder while moving items during the California wildfires.Zumaya had surgery Wednesday on his right shoulder in San Diego. His residence is listed as south of the city, in Chula Vista.
Zumaya, whose 100 mph fastballs helped Detroit reach the 2006 World Series, will rest his shoulder for six weeks. He is not expected to begin a throwing program until March.
The Tigers said Zumaya was hurt while moving personal items, but did not release additional details. Known for his fastballs, Zumaya has giant flame tattoos on both of his arms.
Surgery on a tendon in his middle finger limited him to just 28 games last season. He was 2-3 with a 4.28 ERA.
As a rookie in 2006, Zumaya was a key reason the Tigers won the AL championship for the first time since in more than two decades. He was 6-3 with a 1.94 ERA, and struck out 92 in 62 games appearances.
Zumaya's injury seems to make re-signing Todd Jones, a free agent, or acquiring another closer even more of a priority. The Tigers went 88-74 this season and finished second in the AL Central.
