Gagne to see Dr. Yocum, Crew season likely over
Eric Gagne will see noted orthopedist Lewis Yocum in Tempe, Ariz. on Saturday for a second opinion on his injured right shoulder. Whether or not Gagne opts for surgery, it appears extremely unlikely that he'll win a spot on the Brewers' big league roster.
"I would say impossible," assistant general manager Gord Ash said.
Yocum is an Angels team doctor and a specialist in Tommy John elbow surgeries. He will take a second look an an MRI scan of Gagne's shoulder that was read this week by Brewers head physician William Raasch, who identified damage to multiple parts of the shoulder, including the labrum and rotator cuff.
Raasch was leaning toward a course of rehabilitation but Gagne may choose a surgical fix, which would require a rehab of at least four months before he begins a throwing program.
Even if he does opt for rehab, Gagne probably will not do it with the Brewers. His Minor League contract -- which was to pay $1.5 million if he made the Major League roster -- includes a March 26 "out date" on which Gagne could elect free agency if he was not on the roster. Even if he does not exercise that right, it's unlikely that the Brewers would keep him in the Minor League system because of his relatively high, six-figure salary.
"You have to understand that our interest in signing Eric was to pitch at the Major League level," Ash said. "We don't have any interest in having him as a Minor League player."
"I would say impossible," assistant general manager Gord Ash said.
Yocum is an Angels team doctor and a specialist in Tommy John elbow surgeries. He will take a second look an an MRI scan of Gagne's shoulder that was read this week by Brewers head physician William Raasch, who identified damage to multiple parts of the shoulder, including the labrum and rotator cuff.
Raasch was leaning toward a course of rehabilitation but Gagne may choose a surgical fix, which would require a rehab of at least four months before he begins a throwing program.
Even if he does opt for rehab, Gagne probably will not do it with the Brewers. His Minor League contract -- which was to pay $1.5 million if he made the Major League roster -- includes a March 26 "out date" on which Gagne could elect free agency if he was not on the roster. Even if he does not exercise that right, it's unlikely that the Brewers would keep him in the Minor League system because of his relatively high, six-figure salary.
"You have to understand that our interest in signing Eric was to pitch at the Major League level," Ash said. "We don't have any interest in having him as a Minor League player."
Would the Brewers have to pick up the tab for this surgery?
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