Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Surgery for bulging disc sidelines Brett Anderson

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Florida Marlns

By Jon Weisman

Brett Anderson is expected to miss three to five months of action because of a bulging disc in his back, Dave Roberts said today.

Anderson felt soreness toward the end of throwing live batting practice Tuesday, and after the pain worsened overnight, he went to be examined Wednesday. The MRI showed a bulging disc, and it was recommended he be scheduled for arthroscopic surgery this morning.

“I was surprised — I was shocked,” Roberts said. “Talking to him two days ago and again yesterday morning, he just thought it’s a couple-day thing that would subside.”

“I haven’t talked to him since yesterday, but I’m certain he’s disappointed. He felt coming into Spring Training he was in fantastic shape and had a great winter, and so for this to happen, I’m sure he’s very disappointed.”

It is the second disc issue in the past three seasons for Anderson, who pitched a career-high 180 1/3 innings last year for the Dodgers. His 2014 season with Colorado ended in early August with surgery.

“It wasn’t the same sensation that he’d had before prior to his initial back surgery,” Roberts said. “It wasn’t near the sensation he had before.”

Roberts said that with the “big window” of recovery time, the Dodgers are optimistic that Anderson will return this year.

With Hyun-Jin Ryu expected to be out until at least May, Anderson’s injury means that the back end of the Dodger starting rotation is wide open behind Clayton Kershaw, Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda. Alex Wood, Mike Bolsinger and Brandon Beachy are leading candidates among the returning veterans.

“It’s one of those things that we didn’t think our depth would be tested so early,” Roberts said, “but obviously with Alex and Beachy and Mike Bolsinger, we’ve got depth and those guys are going to have to step up. We’re going to be evaluating, and every day’s a test.”

Roberts added that “everything’s in consideration” and that things could change, but he gave little indication that he expects one of the Dodgers’ pitching prospects to leap immediately into the rotation. The conversation about whether Carlos Frias will be a starter or reliever this year continues with Rick Honeycutt, Roberts said.

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3 Comments

  1. Have to wonder if he knew something was up and why he took QO, not needing take a physical instead of testing FA and having to take one. Just saying its suspicious.

    • Well, something he did know was a crowded FA market for starters and the cost of a draft pick that came with him. So, not suspicious in that sense.

    • Jon Weisman

      Not at all. Anderson had no issues in the winter had would have had no trouble passing another team’s physical. He took the riskier route for his future, signing a one-year deal with the Dodgers rather than locking in a long-term, more lucrative contract.

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