Pen in October

[Tony-OH]

17 hours ago, dystopia said:

It sounds like there is a real effort to get Bautista back for the playoffs. Hopefully he's pitching without pain and can be effective. That would be huge for our chances. Really, really sucks that he got hurt.

Getting anything out of Bautista at this point would be a bonus. I just can't imagine a guy coming back with a torn UCL and being effective, but we shall see.

[tntoriole]

11 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Getting anything out of Bautista at this point would be a bonus. I just can't imagine a guy coming back with a torn UCL and being effective, but we shall see.

So much of it hinges on the word “partial”.  The classification of degrees of UCL injury is a complicated realm of MRI findings, clinical exam and grading based on these areas. 

It is not clear at all what exact grade of injury Felix has from what has been said publicly.  What is clear is that it is not a complete tear.   Below that, the MRI could have shown as low as thinning of the striatal fibers with edema but without tearing up through some percentages of incomplete tearing. 
No doubt it is on the low end because he would not be throwing at all with a higher end findings. 

He is no doubt undergoing specific conservative rehab exercises (ie tossing etc) and then MRI is being repeated. 
And throughout.. if he experiences any discomfort that too is factored with the MRIs 

The extreme force vectors of 102 mph FB though is a whole different kettle of fish.  Now if he is not a good candidate for conservative nonsurgical rehab of this, then it becomes more of a clinical question.  Can he actually throw without pain is the issue then. Yes, he might then tear it at some point, but if you think he will probably need surgery now anyway, then there is really no change in outcomes if he goes from a partial to complete. 

 

They have the best orthopedic and rehab specialists and MRI radiologists carefully assessing him.  They will make the best call for Felix’s present and future career.