LOS ANGELES - All-Star shortstop Cesar Izturis of
the Los Angeles Dodgers will undergo Tommy John surgery on his
throwing elbow September 16 and is expected to be sidelined for
at least 10 months.
Izturis is suffering from degenerative arthritis of the right
elbow and osteochondrosis (OCD), which is a deterioration of the
cartilage in the elbow caused by the loss of blood supply.
Dr. Frank Jobe will transplant a tendon from Izturis' left wrist
to form a new ligament in his right elbow and intends to drill
holes into the area afflicted by OCD in an attempt to stimulate
blood flow.
Izturis, the 2004 National League Gold Glove winner in 2004,
will likely not be able to play until next July at the earliest.
The Dodgers are using Oscar Robles at shortstop in Izturis'
absence.
The loss of Izturis for an extended period is another blow for
the Dodgers, who have suffered a plethora of injuries this
season. Former Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne and outfielders
Milton Bradley and J.D. Drew are among the key players
sidelined.
Los Angeles (63-76) is in third place in the NL West, 6 1/2
games behind first-place San Diego after winning the division
title last year.
Izturis, 25, has been on the disabled list since August 23 with
a lower back sprain. He also spent time on the DL in July with
a strained right hamstring. Izturis hit .257 with 11 errors in
106 games this season.
The Dodgers signed Izturis to a three-year contract worth $9.9
million prior to the 2005 season.