Hanrahan Will Undergo Second Tommy John Surgery, Has Been Released By Tigers
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - The Detroit Tigers announced Wednesday they have released reliever Joel Hanrahan, who will undergo the second Tommy John surgery of his career later this month.
The #Tigers today announced that RHP Joel Hanrahan will undergo UCL reconstructive surgery on his right elbow on March 18th.
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 4, 2015
The surgery will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Texas. Hanrahan has been given his unconditional release.
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 4, 2015
Hanrahan underwent his first Tommy John surgery in May 2013, when Dr. James Andrews not only repaired the pitcher's ulnar collateral ligament but also his torn flexor muscle. During the operation Andrews also removed bone spurs from the elbow.
Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski has long maintained the team was not counting on Hanrahan this season, saying anything Detroit got out of him would just be a bonus.
When the Tigers originally signed Hanrahan, in May 2014, his agent gave a time frame of five to eight weeks for the pitcher to be ready to go.
Before the original surgery, Hanrahan's career appeared to be on an upward trajectory; he was elected an All-Star in 2012 and 2011.