MIAMI — Dodgers pitcher Paco Rodriguez will have arthroscopic surgery Thursday to remove loose bodies in the back of his left elbow. He is expected to miss approximately 8-10 weeks.

Rodriguez has known for weeks that he had a bone spur in the elbow (a bone spur can become a “loose body”) that would eventually require surgery. But he was able to pitch four scoreless rehab innings over four games recently with Triple-A Oklahoma City, leaving open the possibility that Rodriguez could return to the majors right away. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly even said Friday that Rodriguez would join the team in Arizona, where the Dodgers begin a three-game series Monday.

Now that Rodriguez is at least two months away from competition, his season is in jeopardy.

Mattingly said he “would think” Rodriguez could return in time to pitch for the Dodgers in the playoffs, should their season get that far.
Continue reading “Paco Rodriguez will have surgery after all, miss 8-10 weeks.” »