Angels righty Griffin Canning has taken another step forward in his recovery from this spring’s right elbow troubles. He posted video of himself pitching off a bullpen mound at Angel Stadium on Instagram earlier today (hat tip: Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, on Twitter).
The 23-year-old Canning underwent an MRI early in Spring Training after experiencing discomfort and was diagnosed with “chronic changes” to the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and “acute irritation” in the joint. Ominous as the “UCL” portion of that diagnosis was, further testing revealed that there was no tear. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection, went through a period of rest and was cleared to begin throwing early last month.
A return to mound work not only shows that Canning is still setback-free but also lends increased optimism that he can be ready for game action when or shortly after the league resumes play. There are no set dates for a resumption of play just yet, but the league is reported to be prepping a proposal for the Players Association and expects to present that plan in the next few days.
Canning made his big league debut in 2019, tossing 90 1/3 innings over 18 appearances (17 starts) while compiling a 4.58 ERA with averages of 9.6 K/9, 3.0 BB/9 and 1.4 HR/9. A second-round pick in 2017 and top 100 prospect heading into the 2019 season, he’s viewed as a critical piece of the team’s rotation moving forward. He’s controlled all the way through the 2025 season, joining Shohei Ohtani as a potential building block in a rotation that is otherwise comprised of hurlers who are set to reach free agency this coming winter (Julio Teheran) or after 2021 (Andrew Heaney, Dylan Bundy).
californiaangels
over under 14.5 innings over the next 2 seasons .. give me the under
Vizionaire
i will take 32 starts in ’21 plus what ever.
bkbk
Damn son, thats just bad wishes. Go away.
stewartnbuck
If the Angels could get just 1 of their starting pitchers to make it through an entire season, would take a miracle
rez2405 2
Over under 10 dislikes this comment would get if the function was still available? I go over
Angels & NL West
I want to be optimistic but its so hard given the elbow problems the Angels pitchers have had the last several seasons. Its been non stop PRP injections and TJ surgery. I can’t even keep track of all of them anymore. Fingers crossed…
macstruts
Based on the Angels history, it’s hard to be optimistic. However, I am. With an 80 game season, and with Ohtani and perhaps Canning, and with Heaney not having to throw more than 100 innings, it’s a completely different pitching staff.
Rangers29
From someone currently having UCL issues, I hope he can get better. It sucks to have, but it’s great to know that you don’t have a major tear.
prov356
That is good news. The Angels can have a decent rotation especially with the line up and defense they have supporting them.
Javia
Anytime any pitcher gets a PRP injection I am expecting Tommy John surgery within 2 years. I have only ever heard of 2 players who have gotten a PRP injection in the elbow and not needed Tommy John, Tanaka and I forget the other one. But I will send out good thoughts for Mr. Canning.
Dorothy_Mantooth
Big Sexy, Bartolo Colon is the second.
seth3120
Anyone who can pitch for the Angels is a good thing.
ron cey
Steve Adams made this sound optimistic.
ldoggnation
Two words for y’all…Garret Richards.
rez2405 2
except Garret Richards actually tore his ligament, soo…..
The Human Rain Delay
I like the Angels in a 81 game season a lot more than 162
Theres gonna be 1 Cinderella this year in Mlb, why not Anaheim, she does live 6 miles south to begin with