Sat May 09, 2009 6:59 am EDT
Yanks' Ian Kennedy has aneurysm in right shoulder
Times have certainly changed for New York Yankees' prospect Ian Kennedy(notes). Thirteen months ago he was a top prospect, who earned a spot in the starting rotation out of spring training after an impressive September callup in 2007.
But that's where the good news ended, according to the New York Daily News. A disastrous rookie season landed him back in the minors, but he had been pitching well in April before landing on the disabled list with what was initially diagnosed as a vasospasm in his right middle finger. Tuesday, Kennedy will undergo surgery after doctors discovered an aneurysm in an artery near his right shoulder, bringing his season to a grinding halt and leaving the former first-round pick to wonder when he'll throw again.
According to Joe Girardi, doctors took another look at Kennedy's MRI after the vasospasm wasn't getting any better, spotting a possible aneurysm. A second test was done to get a closer look, showing the aneurysm.
This isn't the first time a Yankees pitcher has dealt with this situation, as David Cone underwent surgery for the same condition in 1996. Dr. George Todd, who performed Cone's surgery, will also operate on Kennedy. Girardi said there would be no timetable for Kennedy's return to the mound until after the surgery, the Daily News reported.
Source: New York Daily News