Chicago Cubs reliever Angel Guzman has been a magnet for injuries in his ten years in the organization, and his most recent could mark the end of his time with the Cubs, if not his career. Guzman, 28, has a significant tear in his shoulder, which will keep him out for quite a while, and now the only question is: rehab or surgery? The former is less likely to work, but the latter is more risky.
So Guzman is going for a second opinion from the guy who apparently knows everything about sports-related surgery.
Angel Guzman [left yesterday] for Alabama, where he’s scheduled to meet with noted sports surgeon James Andrews on Monday to discuss his shoulder injury and treatment options.
Guzman still is leaning toward having career-threatening surgery but is trying to keep an open mind.
”I just want to see him Monday and talk to him and think about it,” Guzman said.
Guzman, the Cubs’ top reliever last season, was sidelined the last two weeks because of related problems with the shoulder. He entered camp coming off minor knee surgery but otherwise seemed healthy until two setbacks with the shoulder and an MRI exam that revealed a significant tear. CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
If Guzman opts for surgery, you’ve got to believe he’ll miss the rest of the season and will be non-tendered by the Cubs. Perhaps he will come back to rehab, but another team may be more willing to pony up on such a risky property. The surgery decision could very well be the moment we look back on, and realize that’s when Angel Guzman left the Cubs.