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Wednesday, Feb. 20 2:12pm ET
Mariners prospect Heaverlo out with torn labrum
PEORIA, Arizona (Ticker) -- Seattle Mariners righthander Jeff
Heaverlo, a highly regarded prospect, has a tear in the labrum
of his pitching shoulder and could miss the entire season.
Heaverlo was examined by Mariners medical director Dr. Larry
Pedegana and is scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the
extent of the damage.
"If he requires surgery, Jeff could miss all of 2002, but I
would expect that he would be ready for spring training next
season," Pedegana said.
The 24-year-old Heaverlo was named Most Valuable Pitcher for
Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League last season after going
11-6 with a 2.12 ERA in 27 starts. He was selected in the
supplemental first round of the 1999 June draft after setting
the career strikeouts record at the University of Washington.
"We're obviously disppointed, but mostly for Jeff," Mariners
general manager Pat Gillick said. "He worked very hard this
winter so he could come to camp and compete for a job and he was
in great shape. The good news is he's still a very young
pitcher and, while this is a setback, we expect him to have a
fine career with the Mariners."
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