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| Richards was having a career year. Photo credit: Rich Gagnon/Getty Images |
Though the Los Angeles Angels continued their winning ways on Wednesday night against the Red Sox, they suffered a loss in their starting rotation that will potentially make their road to a deep postseason run & a possible World Series title much more difficult to navigate and get to.
Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards suffered a significant injury to his left patellar tendon during his startup in Boston. It turns out after visiting the team doctors back in Los Angeles today that he suffered a torn left knee patellar tendon and will undergo surgery next week. The time table for recovery from this injury is 6-9 months.This time frame also puts in jeopardy the possibility of him missing the start of spring training or even worse Opening Day.
. This was an injury that shocked everyone who was playing in the game to those who were watching it either from Fenway Park or from home on the TV.
. This was an injury that shocked everyone who was playing in the game to those who were watching it either from Fenway Park or from home on the TV.
Angels Manager Mike Scioscia expressed his sadness for Richards to the media after the game. (Via Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston):
"Garrett's taking it hard," a somber Scioscia said. "This is a huge blow for him. The type year he was having, hopefully we're in a position where there won't be any long-term ramifications. That's what we're very hopeful there won't be. We'll see."
Forgot the long term ramifications for a moment and think about the mental aspect of such a devastating injury happening to a pitcher of his stature and how that affects a team’s psyche. In that statement alone you could tell how shocked and heartbroken Scioscia and the whole team is right now. This is more than just losing an ace pitcher from their staff, for the foreseeable future its losing a teammate, a friend they built a relationship with, talked with everyday etc. No one can under estimate that aspect of this for the Manager and players.
Now the Angels will move forward and continue to focus on winning as much as they can but in the back of their minds no question they will have a part of themselves dedicated to wondering about how Richards is doing, how is he recovering from the injury etc.
The injury occurred when he was covering first base during the second inning of the game. First baseman Albert Pujols fielded a ground ball hit by Red Sox hitter Brock Holt and went to second base with his throw to get the lead runner.Unfortunately when he looked at first base, Richards was not at the bag as he was on the ground, in immense pain, clutching his left knee and needing the Angels trainer to come out. He would remain down on the ground for several minutes as his teammates surrounded him until he was helped off the field and taken for further tests. Richards eventually be put on a stretcher as he left the field. As he was being carted off,. Richards did acknowledge the Red Sox crowd who applauded after he gave them a gesture of gratitude.
This obviously is a huge blow to the Angel’s starting rotation and overall postseason hopes. Richards had come into his own this season. He was delivering one strong start after another and was one of the main reasons for this long hot streak the Angels have been on. Coming into his start on Wednesday night, Richards has posted a 13-4 record with a 2.53 ERA , including opposing lineups only hitting .195 against the young pitching star. He helped elevate a staff that was in need of another solid, reliable starter in the rotation coming into this season.
Richards complimented Jered Weaver at the top of the rotation perfectly and created a potent 1-2 punch for LA to have in their arsenal. No word on who will replace Richards in his spot in the rotation but it is safe to say it will be nearly impossible for that pitcher to fill that void and equal the high level he was pitching at before the injury.
Though this has been a very successful month of August for the Angels in the win column and in the AL West standings, Richards becomes the second starting pitcher to suffer a severe injury that has taken them out of the starting rotation. Tyler Skaggs was lost for the rest of this season and part of next when he underwent Tommy John surgery last week. The likely plan for LA is for them to call up two pitchers from the minor leagues to try and fill the void of Richards.
This is a setback that will take time to recover from for the team mentally,.Richards is a big cog in their team that will be missed but LA must continue to press on and now must find a way to rally together and get through a difficult period in their season in order to keep their hopes and dreams alive for accomplishing their ultimate goal.
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