WHEW.
Yesterday, Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Duane Underwood, Jr. – perhaps the best starting pitching prospect in the Cubs’ system – underwent an MRI on his right, pitching elbow in Chicago.
Thankfully, the results of the MRI were as good as you could hope, showing only inflammation, and no structural damage (CSN, Tribune). No injury or discomfort or inflammation is a good thing, but this is as good as the new could have realistically been.
The translation: no surgery right now for Underwood, Tommy John or otherwise. He’ll rest a bit, and then resuming throwing. The Cubs have shown a particular interest in being conservative with the health of their young arms, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Underwood doesn’t get back into game action for a good long while. Still, if he’s able to finish the year with an additional handful of healthy starts, that’ll be a win.