Kuhl had elbow surgery today

Ecbucs · Post by **Ecbucs** » Wed Sep 19, 2018 10:41 pm

Pirates right-hander Chad Kuhl underwent surgery on his right elbow earlier today, team director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk announced to reporters (Twitter link via MLB.com’s Adam Berry). The team hasn’t provided further details just yet, so it’s not clear whether the operation was Tommy John surgery or a less severe procedure. Kuhl hadn’t pitched since late June due to a forearm strain and tightness in his elbow, and he’d recently suffered a setback upon trying to ramp back up for a September return.

INbuc · Post by **INbuc** » Wed Sep 19, 2018 11:28 pm

I had an eerie feeling this day might be coming a year or so ago. Chad will likely be out in 2019. Hopefully he will be back in 2020. The real question is will he have to alter his style to keep his arm healthy -- and can he be successful at the MLB level if he alters his style?

ScottinMass · Post by **ScottinMass** » Thu Sep 20, 2018 7:26 pm

715756415747340 wrote: Pirates right-hander Chad Kuhl underwent surgery on his right elbow earlier today, team director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk announced to reporters (Twitter link via MLB.com’s Adam Berry). The team hasn’t provided further details just yet, so it’s not clear whether the operation was Tommy John surgery or a less severe procedure. Kuhl hadn’t pitched since late June due to a forearm strain and tightness in his elbow, and he’d recently suffered a setback upon trying to ramp back up for a September return.
Pirates have confirmed it was TJ surgery.

Should be good to go for ST 2020

DemDog · Post by **DemDog** » Thu Sep 20, 2018 7:50 pm

47777B60607D7A59756767140 wrote: Pirates right-hander Chad Kuhl underwent surgery on his right elbow earlier today, team director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk announced to reporters (Twitter link via MLB.com’s Adam Berry). The team hasn’t provided further details just yet, so it’s not clear whether the operation was Tommy John surgery or a less severe procedure. Kuhl hadn’t pitched since late June due to a forearm strain and tightness in his elbow, and he’d recently suffered a setback upon trying to ramp back up for a September return.
Pirates have confirmed it was TJ surgery.

Should be good to go for ST 2020

? ? !

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:16 pm

When Kuhl came up in 2016 he was not a hard thrower. Then last year he suddenly had a FB in the high 90s. Now TJ surgery. That extra strain from the effort on the FB must have been a factor.

MaineBucs · Post by **MaineBucs** » Thu Sep 20, 2018 9:29 pm

Sad to hear of the TJS. I really liked Kuhl. Hope that he can return in 2020 and that he is healthy when he does.

skinnyhorse · Post by **skinnyhorse** » Fri Sep 21, 2018 1:01 am

6D404D5C5B4A5D1D1E2F0 wrote: When Kuhl came up in 2016 he was not a hard thrower. Then last year he suddenly had a FB in the high 90s. Now TJ surgery. That extra strain from the effort on the FB must have been a factor.

Sad to hear, but it was obvious he was headed for arm trouble the way he put maximum effort into every pitch. I posted about it early in the season and mentioned his dad should intervene. He'll never be able to be a starter with the approach he was using without arm injury. I actually thought he was a better pitcher when he pitched more under control. Pitchers should look at Trevor Williams to realize you can be good if your concentrate on control and location.