The Oakland Athletics will try to win a third American League West title in a row without right-handed pitcher Jarrod Parker. It was announced on Monday that Parker will have Tommy John surgery and will be out for the entire season.
Parker, who was scheduled to be the Athletics opening day starter, was examined by Dr. James Andrews on Monday. He had tightness and soreness in his arm. He will have the surgery on March 25. It will be the second time in his career that Parker has had Tommy John surgery. He underwent the surgery in 2009.
"Obviously we feel bad for Jarrod," Athletics assistant general manager David Forst told MLB.com. "I know he worked hard this offseason after having some struggles at the end of the year and was hoping to be at the top of the rotation this year. Other than that, we can only play the hand that we're dealt, and we obviously spent a lot of time putting together pitching depth coming into the year, and some guys are going to have to step up."
Parker has a 25-16 record with a 3.73 ERA in the last two years with the Athletics. Last year he went 12-8 with a 3.97 ERA. This spring he had a 10.61 ERA in three starts, according to ESPN. Parker is the latest injury victim for the Athletics. A.J. Griffin has a sore elbow and will be out until May. Scott Kazmir was scratched from Monday’s game due to triceps stiffness.
It seems that pitchers are having problems staying healthy this year. Parker joins Arizona Diamondbacks Patrick Corbin, and the Atlanta Braves’ Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy as pitchers who might need surgery, according to the Associated Press. Tommy Milone and Jesse Chavez are expected to replace Parker and Griffin. The Athletics also have Drew Pomeranz and Josh Lindblom, who they acquired in the offseason, as other replacement options.