Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Gregorius’ swollen elbow a bit of a puzzle
The good news for Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius is that his ongoing right elbow trouble seems unrelated to the Tommy John surgery he had there in 2018. The notso good news is that Gregorius isn’t sure why the elbow continues to give him problems.
“As of right now we’re still trying to figure it out,” Gregorius said Saturday. “I haven’t gotten the word on exactly what it is.”
Gregorius displayed his swollen right elbow into a Zoom videoconference cam, saying it makes it impossible for him to fully extend his arm. As a result, he says, he can’t properly swing a bat.
“There’s something there that’s sore and limits my movement,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s the same thing happening again. That’s what we’re trying to find out.”
He had removed himself from a game in Washington on Wednesday, missed
Thursday’s series finale there and will have missed all three games of the current series against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. Gregorius’ next move, he said, will be more ‘tests’ on Monday after the Phillies return from Florida.
Last month, Gregorius missed a threegame series against the Giants due to similar inflammation near the right elbow. He said an MRI showed no structural problems. He had it drained, allowing him to return to action April 23 in Colorado.
But Gregorius had but three hits in six games over the last week of April, and was hitting but .190 over the first two weeks of May when he removed himself from action. He said he might undergo a second MRI on Monday, but again stressed the problem is unrelated to the Tommy John surgery.
“It has nothing to do with the UCL,” said Gregorius, referencing the ulnar collateral ligament. “... The last time we had it drained, this time we’re letting it work its way out, so we’re going about it day by day. We’re trying to get it better and we’ll see where it goes.”
Nick Maton, the utility infielder who has opened eyes since being promoted last month from the Triple-A ranks, when Gregorius first had elbow issues, is starting at short again.
Gregorius is hoping this problem doesn’t lead to a long-term assignment at short for Maton.
Asked if he thought a trip to the Injured List might be possible, Gregorius said, “I’m
not sure. I hope not. I hope this goes by quick, so I can get back on the field.
“I am worried because I haven’t been on the field,” he added. “That’s the main thing. I haven’t been playing. The last time I played my swings weren’t looking real good because I couldn’t extend my arm. ...I can throw fine but extending my arm for hitting and following through, I can’t really do that.”