BLOOD CLOTS THREATEN RELIEVER’S CAREER
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.» Scott Oberg’s baseball career might be over.
The Rockies reliever underwent surgery Thursday to remove blood clots in his right elbow, the Rockies confirmed. The operation took place at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.
Oberg, 31, underwent thoracic outlet surgery last September. The procedure was an attempt to prevent the return of blood clots in his right arm, an ailment that has sidelined him three times in his career, including last year.
“The thought process is just to continue to progress and continue to up the intensity and work my way into games,” Oberg said early in camp when he was hopeful that the issue had been resolved.
He has pitched well this spring, allowing no runs and two hits with four strikeouts. Rockies trainers continually monitored his health this spring, giving him ultrasound tests to measure the blood flow in his arm.
The surgery is a huge blow to Oberg, obviously.
It’s also a big loss for the Rockies because Oberg was going to be an eighth-inning reliever, and possibly a closer at some point this season.
What’s more, Oberg, who had been the players’ union representative for the Rockies, is extremely popular with his teammates.
Oberg was excellent in 2019, the last season he pitched, posting a 2.25 ERA, and limiting opponents to a .196 batting average and not allowing a home run at Coors Field. He went 5-0 with four saves and a 1.71 ERA in 28 games at Coors.