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Washington Nationals News: Bronson Arroyo Gets Good News On Rotator Cuff

By Ricky Keeler

Mar 10, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (61) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (61) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Thursday, it was thought that Bronson Arroyo’s career was over when it was reported by William Ladson of  MLB.com that he had torn the rotator cuff in his right shoulder. However, there now is a chance that Arroyo can pitch in 2016. Last night, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and MLB Network reported that there was a misdiagnosis on the MRI Arroyo had on that shoulder:

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Arroyo had been scratched from his scheduled start last Wednesday against the Miami Marlins because of soreness in his right shoulder. Earlier on Friday, Arroyo spoke to the media about the latest on the shoulder injury:

This is definitely good news for the 39-year-old veteran right-hander who hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 2014 after having Tommy John surgery. However, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com, the Nats are talking to Arroyo today about the injury and looking back at one of his MRI’s when he was with the Diamondbacks:

"“The Nationals plan to meet with Arroyo on Saturday, compare the MRI they took with one taken by the Diamondbacks two years ago when he suffered a minor rotator cuff tear while pitching for Arizona and collectively decide a course of action from there.” (h/t Zuckerman, MASN Sports)"

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The question will be whether or not Arroyo will pitch for the Washington Nationals in 2016 if he pitches at all. As far as how Arroyo was doing in camp, he was coming off of a strong start against the Houston Astros on March 10. In that game, Arroyo went three hitless innings and struck out three batters. That start was an improvement from his first game against Miami, when he gave up two runs on four hits and walked two in two innings of work back on March 4.

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While the Nats’ rotation seems set heading into the season with Tanner Roark and Joe Ross filling out the last two spots, Arroyo could still be a valuable piece in the rotation if the inflammation subsides in terms of having another veteran arm ready to go in case of an injury instead of having to rush top prospect Lucas Giolito to the big leagues. It will be interesting to see how this story unfolds and whether or not Arroyo will get another chance to pitch at the Major League level.

Update: Before today’s cancelled game against the Mets, Nats’ general manager and president of baseball operations, Mike Rizzo, gave an update on Arroyo’s rotator cuff to the media:

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