The Philadelphia Phillies’ chances of claiming one of the National League’s two Wild Card spots took a hit on Wednesday when it was reported that Jake Arrieta is likely done for the season.
Phillies' Jake Arrieta says he'll likely need season-ending surgery for bone spur in elbow https://t.co/DEV4Jt8j44
— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) August 14, 2019
Arrieta was placed on the 10-day Disabled List earlier today due to a bone spur in his right elbow. Although neither Arrieta nor the Phillies have officially confirmed that the pitcher will miss the rest of the season, Arrieta had earlier stated that if he had to undergo surgery for the lingering bone spur, he would probably miss the rest of 2019.
The bone spur has certainly affected his performance on the mound, and he said as much earlier today:
“I mean, without this bone spur I’m going to be able to use everything effectively. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I know what I need to do to execute certain pitches. I’m physically limited at this point. I don’t have the ability to do those things. With some more space in the elbow, without that distraction in there, I’m going to be pretty good.”
The pitcher was first diagnosed with the bone spur after an MRI revealed the injury on July 7. Arrieta has been trying to pitch through the pain, but it’s clear that he doesn’t have his best stuff. He has been unable to go more than six innings in any of his six outings since the injury became public.
Arrieta signed a three-year, $75 million contract with Philadelphia just before the start of the 2018 season, and some have already called it one of the worst deals in baseball. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner is 8-8 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP this season, and he did not have a great first year with the Phillies last year.
Philadelphia has a 61-58 record, and the Phillies are currently two games out of the Wild Card race. They host Arrieta’s former team, the Chicago Cubs, tonight at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
