The Oakland Athletics have a lot of options when it comes to filling the starting rotation next season. It is a given that Sonny Gray will be the No. 1 starting pitcher even if the A’s do acquire a more veteran starter. However, the rest of the rotation spots are up for grabs. One pitcher looking to make a comeback in 2016 will be right hander Jesse Hahn.
Hahn went down with a right forearm strain in early July this past year. At first, it was reported that he would only be shut down for two weeks. However, after Hahn visited a second doctor, it was decided that he would not pitch for a month. Ultimately, Hahn was shut down for the rest of the 2015 season.
Before he incurred this injury, Hahn pitched pretty well for the Oakland Athletics. He maintained a 3.35 ERA over 16 starts and left the season with a 6-6 record. Hahn had only just made his Major League debut in June of 2014 with the San Diego Padres and performed comparably this year with the A’s. However, he was hitting his stride as he went 4-1 with a 2.68 ERA in his last six starts before landing on the DL.
Even though he had begun throwing pain-free at the end of September, this injury is definitely a cause for concern for Hahn and his MLB career. Hahn has already undergone one Tommy John surgery back in 2010. It had been feared that this most recent injury would require him to undergo a second elbow surgery, but thankfully Hahn escaped with just rest.
However, as A’s fans now know, it is not uncommon for a pitcher who has already undergone Tommy John surgery at an early age to have to receive a second Tommy John surgery later in their career. This was the case with Jarrod Parker whose first elbow surgery happened in 2009 while the second one took place in 2014. Interesting enough, Parker lasted five years before having issues with his elbow again and Hahn just rolled up on the five year mark since his first Tommy John surgery. Is this just a coincidence or is this a pattern where a surgically repaired elbow just cannot handle the stress of being an everyday pitcher for an extended amount of time – say 5 years?
Additionally, although Hahn’s MRI this summer revealed that he had a right forearm strain, he initially told the coaches that he felt the discomfort in his elbow while pitching. It must also be noted that forearm strains can be the initial sign of a ulnar collateral ligament tear. Luckily, this was not the case with Hahn, but this is what happened to Parker and former A’s starter Brett Anderson.
Even though Hahn is on the road to recovery and is said to be healthy by spring training, this injury a case for concern for his future as a pitcher. The Athletics are going to have be careful not to overwork Hahn this upcoming season. He is still young, only 26, and it would be unfortunate for him to have to undergo a second Tommy John surgery.