Jeff Francis

by SPENCEMAN on Aug 5, 2009 2:10 AM MDT

I am not a Rockies fan so I don't know alot about what happened to Jeff Francis. All I know is that he needs to get surgery on his shoulder (?) because of a torn labrum. What are the chances that he comes back and pitches as effectively as he used to, or at least better then he did in '08? Will he go back to his former glory, or will he be equal or worse to his 5.01 ERA performance in 2008.

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Your guess is probably as good as anybody's

While we’re all rooting for it, I don’t think many Rockies fans are counting on him coming back as strong as he was in 2007, but will be pleasantly surprised when/if he does.

by Rox Girl on Aug 5, 2009 7:03 AM MDT reply actions

Shoulder injuries are tricky

The fact of the matter is that the labrum is not meant to sustain the pitching motion. Most pitchers would probably come up with labrum damage if X-rayed. I think Al Leiter pitched a long time with a torn labrum.

If I had to pick a type of pitcher that might be most likely to come back at something close to what they were before, though, I’d probably pick a guy like Francis, who was never a hard thrower to begin with and had pretty smooth mechanics. I believe he will pitch in the major leagues again as a fifth starter type, and because he’s a lefty he can hang around a while. I just doubt he’ll hang around in a Rockies uniform.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.

by Franchise26 on Aug 5, 2009 8:21 AM MDT reply actions

I always thought Labrum tear survivors

had the hardest time regaining their control moreso than TJ guys, simply because they don’t come back stronger. However that’s me trying to recall older articles and not having read anything new on Labrum tear survivors.

I would think Francis would have a tough time coming back simply because he cannot afford a slip in his command or control.

by David OhNo on Aug 5, 2009 7:05 PM MDT up reply actions

However, his work ethic makes him hard to count out

by David OhNo on Aug 5, 2009 7:08 PM MDT up reply actions

Work ethic

and Knowledge of the Physics behind his mechanics

"We made too many wrong mistakes." ~Yogi Berra
"The ballplayer who loses his head, who can't keep his cool, is worse than no ballplayer at all." ~Lou Gehrig
JFK

by jrockies on Aug 5, 2009 7:50 PM MDT up reply actions