MLB Mashup Sunday: Litsch undergoes surgery
Posted March 4, 2012 11:57 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BRADENTON, FLA — Some news this morning here as the Blue Jays prepare to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field.
During his morning scrum with reporters, Blue Jays manager John Farrell revealed pitcher Jesse Litsch underwent emergency surgery five days ago after contracting an infection from a platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection from orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.
As a result, Litsch will not be allowed to throw for at least six weeks.
“It’s a very minute risk, with any injection, that an infection could take hold, and yet in this case, unfortunately for Jesse, it has,” said Farrell, who added Litsch is now at home recovering after spending 2.5 days in a hospital. “He’s having to deal with antibiotics daily now for the next four weeks. It’s an unfortunate setback for him.
“While he knows this is the hand that’s been dealt him, he remains upbeat.”
— As for today’s game with the Pirates, Aaron Laffey whom the Blue Jays signed to a free-agent, minor-league deal back on New Year’s Eve — gets the start for Toronto while Pittsbugh counters with Canadian southpaw Erik Bedard.
Henderson Alvarez, who was originally supposed to start Sunday for Toronto, has since been pushed back to Monday when he is scheduled to take on reigning AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland.
As for Laffey, the 26-year-old posted a 3.88 ERA and a 1.650 WHIP in 47 relief appearances (53.1 innings) for Seattle and the New York Yankees last season.
Check back below throughout the afternoon for live updates via Twitter, the live blog and after the game for post-game comments from Farrell.
TV: None Radio: Sportsnet 590 The Fan. Jerry Howarth, Alan Ashby and Mike Wilner have the call.
