Minnesota Twins pitcher Glen Perkins will reportedly miss the remainder of the season due to a torn labrum and rotator cuff issues in his left shoulder, a source revealed to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
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Perkins Likely Will Require Surgery, Could Return for Start of 2017 Season
Thursday, June 16
Per Neal, "Perkins’ labrum is definitely torn, although it’s unclear how severe the tear is, the source said."
Perkins, 33, already had an MRI this week and received another opinion on the injury from Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Anaheim, California, per Neal. He's been on the disabled list since the first week in April.
According to Neal, Perkins "had at least two known MRI exams and sought three opinions during his ordeal." He tried to throw during his stint on the disabled list but experienced too much discomfort to make a return to the team this season.
Now, an optimistic timetable for his return is the start of next season, though his recovery could take him well into the 2017 campaign.
He appeared in just two games this season, giving up two runs while striking out three batters in 2.0 innings pitched. He's served as the team's primary closer since 2013, registering 102 saves in the prior three seasons.
But the last year has been a tough one for Perkins. After going into last year's All-Star break with a 1.21 ERA and 28 saves in 28 opportunities, earning his third straight All-Star appearance along the way, he saved just four more games down the stretch and blew three save opportunities. His ERA ballooned up to 3.32, he battled injuries, and he eventually lost the closer role to Kevin Jepsen.
The fear in Minnesota will be that Perkins never fully recovers from this injury.
That fear is compounded by the fact that Jepsen has struggled in the closer's role this season, blowing three saves in 10 opportunities while posting a 5.40 ERA. Perkins' injury and Jepsen's struggles have made the closer's role a major question mark for the team, both this season and beyond.
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