Wells To Have Back Surgery!

CalifYanksFan · 07-15-01, 06:29 PM

David done

Wells to have back surgery, season likely over
Click here for more on this story
Posted: Saturday July 14, 2001 12:11 PM
Updated: Saturday July 14, 2001 8:44 PM

David Wells was traded for Mike Sirotka, who is not playing this season because of surgery. AP

CHICAGO (AP) -- David Wells spent the past two weeks resting and doing exercises to strengthen his aching back, hoping the combination would keep him out of surgery.

But when he couldn't even finish a physical therapy session Friday, Wells knew he no longer had a choice. The Chicago White Sox announced Saturday that the left-hander will have surgery Wednesday, likely ending his season.

"When I acquired him, I told all of you there was a risk, there was a gamble," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said. "At the time, we weighed the risks and the gambles and where we were and felt this was something that would put us over the edge. Not too many people at that point disagreed.

"Unfortunately, sometimes things don't work out. This is kind of a Murphy's Law situation."

Wells wasn't at Wrigley Field for the finale of the Crosstown Series and was unavailable for comment.

Trainer Herm Schneider said he couldn't make a prognosis on Wells' return until after the surgery, which will be done by Dr. James Boscardin, the team physician. But the recuperation time for back surgery is months, not weeks, and since it's already late July, the odds are Wells won't return this season.

That means his time in a White Sox uniform is probably over, too. The White Sox have a $10 million option for next season, but he's been a disappointment this year, going 5-7 with a 4.47 ERA.

The White Sox will pay a $1 million buyout if they don't exercise the option.

"I don't have the particulars on ... whether this is something that will end his career or just be something that he's out for the year," Williams said.

"It's too early," Williams added when asked about Wells returning. "I've got to see how the club comes together in the next few months. See what the young guys do from here on out and how that fits together."

Wells, 38, has a history of back problems stemming from two herniated discs. He had to leave the June 8 game with back spasms after facing just five batters, the shortest outing of his career.

He left his June 28 start after two innings when he wasn't able to get loose to warm up for the third. He was placed on the disabled list July 3 for the first time since 1994.

"I was surprised that he had to have surgery," manager Jerry Manuel said. "As many back problems as he's had and been able to overcome without surgery, I think surgery surprised me a little bit."

Schneider said surgery was discussed earlier, but they decided to see if he'd improve with two weeks of treatment and therapy. But Wells didn't make any progress, having trouble just sitting.

"The degenerative process comes with age and time," Schneider said. "It got to the point where the pain was more than he could handle. ... He needs to do this just for his quality of life, so he can play with his kids."

That Wells needs surgery is almost too ironic, considering the turmoil that surrounded his arrival in Chicago. The defending AL Central champs gave up Mike Sirotka, an established left-hander, to get Wells from Toronto in January, hoping he'd be the ace they lacked when they were swept in the first round of last year's playoffs.

Wells, a 20-game winner last year, is 8-1 in the playoffs, including a victory in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series. He also pitched a perfect game on May 17, 1998.

But Sirotka needed season-ending shoulder surgery, and the Toronto Blue Jays asked for compensation, arguing they'd gotten damaged goods. Commissioner Bud Selig sided with the White Sox, essentially telling the Blue Jays "buyer beware."

"I realize and recognize there will be some fingers pointed in my direction and I fully accept that. But you have to be aggressive if you think you have an opportunity to win," Williams said. "Am I likely to take another risk with a person who has disc problems in their back? Probably not.

"But as far as shying away from making a move that I felt at the time was the move to take us to the next level, I think not."

Wells' loss is yet another blow for the beleaguered White Sox. Of their $65 million payroll, just under $25 million is going to players who are out with season-ending injuries.

Seven pitchers are out, including Cal Eldred and Jim Parque, the No. 2 and 3 starters. Frank Thomas is also lost for the year with a torn triceps.

"It's just a bad year," Schneider said. "It happens."
Sports Illustrated

YanksRockMan · 07-15-01, 07:21 PM

Probably because of this injury, Wells will be retiring after the season, with Ripken and Gwynn.

PinstripePride · 07-16-01, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by YanksRockMan
Probably because of this injury, Wells will be retiring after the season, with Ripken and Gwynn.

Yep, his career is over......

rlsuth · 07-17-01, 12:59 AM

Cant say that I feel sorry for the White Sox. They screwed Toronto over in the trade for Wells and then they didn't trade him when they had the opportunity.
Cant say that I feel sorry for David Wells either. As much as he helped the Yanks, he is a fat, lazy, over opinionated slug with a mouth as big as his belly.

07-15-01, 06:29 PM	#1
CalifYanksFan One of the Originals Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: In Yankee Heaven	Wells To Have Back Surgery! David done Wells to have back surgery, season likely over Click here for more on this story Posted: Saturday July 14, 2001 12:11 PM Updated: Saturday July 14, 2001 8:44 PM David Wells was traded for Mike Sirotka, who is not playing this season because of surgery. AP CHICAGO (AP) -- David Wells spent the past two weeks resting and doing exercises to strengthen his aching back, hoping the combination would keep him out of surgery. But when he couldn't even finish a physical therapy session Friday, Wells knew he no longer had a choice. The Chicago White Sox announced Saturday that the left-hander will have surgery Wednesday, likely ending his season. "When I acquired him, I told all of you there was a risk, there was a gamble," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said. "At the time, we weighed the risks and the gambles and where we were and felt this was something that would put us over the edge. Not too many people at that point disagreed. "Unfortunately, sometimes things don't work out. This is kind of a Murphy's Law situation." Wells wasn't at Wrigley Field for the finale of the Crosstown Series and was unavailable for comment. Trainer Herm Schneider said he couldn't make a prognosis on Wells' return until after the surgery, which will be done by Dr. James Boscardin, the team physician. But the recuperation time for back surgery is months, not weeks, and since it's already late July, the odds are Wells won't return this season. That means his time in a White Sox uniform is probably over, too. The White Sox have a $10 million option for next season, but he's been a disappointment this year, going 5-7 with a 4.47 ERA. The White Sox will pay a $1 million buyout if they don't exercise the option. "I don't have the particulars on ... whether this is something that will end his career or just be something that he's out for the year," Williams said. "It's too early," Williams added when asked about Wells returning. "I've got to see how the club comes together in the next few months. See what the young guys do from here on out and how that fits together." Wells, 38, has a history of back problems stemming from two herniated discs. He had to leave the June 8 game with back spasms after facing just five batters, the shortest outing of his career. He left his June 28 start after two innings when he wasn't able to get loose to warm up for the third. He was placed on the disabled list July 3 for the first time since 1994. "I was surprised that he had to have surgery," manager Jerry Manuel said. "As many back problems as he's had and been able to overcome without surgery, I think surgery surprised me a little bit." Schneider said surgery was discussed earlier, but they decided to see if he'd improve with two weeks of treatment and therapy. But Wells didn't make any progress, having trouble just sitting. "The degenerative process comes with age and time," Schneider said. "It got to the point where the pain was more than he could handle. ... He needs to do this just for his quality of life, so he can play with his kids." That Wells needs surgery is almost too ironic, considering the turmoil that surrounded his arrival in Chicago. The defending AL Central champs gave up Mike Sirotka, an established left-hander, to get Wells from Toronto in January, hoping he'd be the ace they lacked when they were swept in the first round of last year's playoffs. Wells, a 20-game winner last year, is 8-1 in the playoffs, including a victory in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series. He also pitched a perfect game on May 17, 1998. But Sirotka needed season-ending shoulder surgery, and the Toronto Blue Jays asked for compensation, arguing they'd gotten damaged goods. Commissioner Bud Selig sided with the White Sox, essentially telling the Blue Jays "buyer beware." "I realize and recognize there will be some fingers pointed in my direction and I fully accept that. But you have to be aggressive if you think you have an opportunity to win," Williams said. "Am I likely to take another risk with a person who has disc problems in their back? Probably not. "But as far as shying away from making a move that I felt at the time was the move to take us to the next level, I think not." Wells' loss is yet another blow for the beleaguered White Sox. Of their $65 million payroll, just under $25 million is going to players who are out with season-ending injuries. Seven pitchers are out, including Cal Eldred and Jim Parque, the No. 2 and 3 starters. Frank Thomas is also lost for the year with a torn triceps. "It's just a bad year," Schneider said. "It happens." Sports Illustrated
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07-15-01, 07:21 PM	#2
YanksRockMan The Commish Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Syracuse, NY	Probably because of this injury, Wells will be retiring after the season, with Ripken and Gwynn.
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07-17-01, 12:59 AM	#4
rlsuth Released Outright Join Date: Jun 2001	Cant say that I feel sorry for the White Sox. They screwed Toronto over in the trade for Wells and then they didn't trade him when they had the opportunity. Cant say that I feel sorry for David Wells either. As much as he helped the Yanks, he is a fat, lazy, over opinionated slug with a mouth as big as his belly.


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