Could Nathan Eovaldi Require Tommy John Surgery?

After lasting just 12 pitches in his latest start, New York Yankees starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is dealing with inflammation in his right elbow that could lead to the dreaded Tommy John surgery.

It became clear something strange was going on during the second inning of Wednesday’s 9-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox when lefty reliever Chasen Shreve was shown warming up in the bullpen.

The broadcast team speculated that Shreve could simply be working on something or needed to get work in, although usually if that is going to happen, it would be later on in the game.

Starter Nathan Eovaldi showed no signs of trouble during a 12 pitch, 1-2-3 first inning. There was no wincing or trips to the mound from the Yankees coaching staff. In retrospect, it was odd that Eovaldi’s fastball, which usually sits up near 100, never even touched 95 in the first.

With Chad Green and Luis Severino both demoted to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre in the last week, the Yankees found themselves without a long reliever, and had to use seven different relievers to string together a victory.

In his postgame press conference, Yankees manager Joe Girardi told the story of how the team found out something was wrong with Eovaldi’s elbow:

"What happened was, he was throwing in the bullpen and Larry asked him, ‘Are you OK?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just kind of saving it. It’s hot. I’m just saving it; I’m saving it.’So then after he threw the first inning, his velocity was not what we’re used to seeing. So Larry asked him three or four times, ‘Are you OK? Are you OK?’ He kept saying, ‘Yep. Yep. Yep.’ Larry asked him again, ‘OK, let me ask you a different way. What hurts?’ He said, ‘I’m OK.’So (Rothschild) said, ‘Let me ask you again,’ and he finally said he felt something in his elbow. We took him out, and like I said, it’s concerning, but we really won’t know until tomorrow"

Eovaldi was sent back to New York for tests and Girardi said they would know more about the issue Thursday night.

Any time a pitcher has an elbow problem, fans minds jump right to Tommy John, and unfortunately that is where things end up more often than not. Eovaldi already had the procedure once in high school, so presumably he is at even greater risk than the average pitcher.

Eovaldi missed the last month of the 2015 season with elbow inflammation and managed to avoid surgery, so there is some hope of a similar recovery. On the other hand, the fact that this is a recurring problem seems like a bad sign.

If Nathan Eovaldi were to require Tommy John, it would probably spell the end of his Yankees career. The surgery requires a 16-18 month rehab process, which would keep him out the entire 2017 season. The 26-year-old Eovaldi is a free agent after next year.

Next: Yankees Made the Wrong Call Demoting Luis Severino

In all likelihood, we have at least seen the last of Nathan Eovaldi for the 2016 campaign. With the Yankees more or less out of contention there is no reason not to be extra cautious with his recovery.

New York currently has two open rotation spots after demoting Luis Severino Wednesday. They can bring Severino or Green back up, or could give a chance to a new face like Chance Adams, Jordan Montgomery, or Dietrich Enns.