Arrieta may not have surgery after all; Lugo cleared
Jake Arrieta, who was planning to get surgery to have a bone spur removed from his right elbow, is having second thoughts and is now leaning against having the surgery.
Arrieta is currently seeking a second opinion, which could be limited to noted orthopedist and Los Angeles Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum looking at the results of a recent magnetic resonance imaging test that Arrieta had performed on his pitching arm.
Julio Lugo (recurring headaches) was cleared to begin playing again. The club isn't sure he'll make it to Boston in time for tonight's series opener, but he will definitely be available tomorrow.
Brian Matusz will start tonight, followed by Brad Bergesen on Tuesday and Kevin Millwood on Wednesday. Jeremy Guthrie is tentatively scheduled to start Friday's series opener in Toronto. Chris Tillman would then be scheduled to pitch Saturday, but Orioles manager Buck Showalter declined to unveil the rest of the rotation for the Toronto series.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Hey Jeff,
If I were Jake, not only would I have second thoughts about surgery. I wouldn't have the surgery period.
If it ain't truly broke, don't fix it.
Surgery Sux! As long as he feels he can pitch and come in feeling strong next year that's good enough for me.
Also, I hope Lugo is feeling better.
Lastly, I hope Matusz, Bergese and Millwood give the Red Sox heck over the next three games
Posted by: Dan W | September 20, 2010 7:15 PM
I wish Arrieta the very best, I think anyone can understand the hesitation on surgery.. We will see what Yocum tells him.. I would just hate to see it start bothering him a couple years along when he might be having a career year. I pray for his health whichever way he goes..
Posted by: GRANT | September 21, 2010 4:20 AM
Bone spurs are a discomfort, and to my knowledge removal is a minor invasive procedure. Of course, any operation to someone else is always more minor than major to me.
I sense that Arrieta is on the cusp of finally knowing how to pitch in the big leagues. If I was in his shoes everything I did would hinge on the answer to the following question:
Will removing the bone spurs help me or hurt me in my quest to be a successful major league pitcher?
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Jeff Z's reply: Dennis, I gather we haven't heard the last of this issue. It seems like the team really wants Jake to have the procedure so we'll see what happens.
Posted by: Dennis | September 21, 2010 7:28 AM
why is it we have so many arm injurys with our pitchers,especially high draft picks. is our scounting really that bad? i believe that itis. we also dont do avery good job with our minor league training and fitness. way to many injurys with all players including position players. when is the shake up coming.
Posted by: larry | September 21, 2010 8:25 AM
Showalter for manager of the year. In what will amount to 1/3 of a season, he's way out performed them all!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 21, 2010 8:37 AM
Arrieta's bone spur should be taken as a reason to condemn the O's trainers or staff - it's a naturally ocurring injury in highly athletic people (like joint arthritis). It could have happened years ago and only recently growN large enough to merit removal. The procedure would be minorly invasive and recovery time is quick. Get the surgery in the offseason, Jake...
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Jeff Z's reply: I'd imagine you mean "shouldn't" be taken as a reason to condemn the Orioles training staff? Arrieta has been pitching with it for six or seven years, long before he joined the organization, and the Orioles have been well aware of it.
Posted by: jjnono | September 21, 2010 10:58 AM
Whoops, typing too fast - yes, "shouldn't."
Posted by: jjnono | September 21, 2010 2:38 PM