Carlos Guillen's Shoulder Doesn't Need Surgery

by Ian Casselberry on Jun 6, 2009 10:30 AM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Jason Beck reports on his blog that Carlos Guillen had a third MRI exam on his shoulder yesterday in Detroit, which confirmed the earlier diagnosis that surgery wasn't necessary. Guillen underwent the third procedure - a contrast MRI, which incorporates dye - after his shoulder was examined Thursday in California.

Yet Guillen still isn't swinging a bat or throwing a baseball, so if he doesn't require surgery, what can the Tigers do differently to expedite his recovery? The team said he'll be put on "an aggressive rehab process," but didn't explain exactly what that means.

Before going on the disabled list, Guillen batted .200/.267/.244 with no home runs and six RBIs in 101 plate appearances. His 24 games have been split evenly between left field and designated hitter.

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Only 1.5 game lead

….if we dont get guillen and Thames back soon…..we will be out of 1st…..maybe by weekends end!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

well don't expect guillen soon

or possibly this year at all.

thames may be activated before Sunday’s game last I heard.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Jun 6, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

It seems like Carlos

Has lost his desire to play baseball.

by KDawg on Jun 6, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow.....

What makes you say that?

by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

So what the heck is the matter?

This has been a shifty injury…I can say almost for certain that the Tigers are withholding some info. A scan with contrast would show whether or not he had a tear in the joint capsule, which he doesn’t (or so they say).

Other possibilities:
Rotator cuff tear/tendonitis: If this were the case, it seems odd that they’d continue poking around and doing a contrast MRI. They’d probably just analyze the tear itself to see if it needed surgery or if it could heal in time.
Bursitis: Cortisone shot and go home, Sheff-style
Damage to joint cartilage: If this is the case, it comes down to how much pain Carlos can play with…I really hope this isn’t the case.

Either way I’m starting to agree with those taking the “under” on the over/under of Carlos coming back this year.

by SkylineSeats on Jun 6, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

Not telling us everything

Yea, why not a cortisone shot and call it a day if it’s just sore. If it’s sore for a month, there’s got to be an injury.

"It's designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything is new again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops, and leaves you to face the fall alone". A. Bartlett Giamatti

by densogirl on Jun 6, 2009 6:20 PM EDT reply actions