Borrell's Season Is Over

Danny Borrell was showing signs of returning to the form that left him one step from joining the Yankees before he underwent shoulder surgery in June of 2003. After his longest outing of the season where he went eight shutout innings against New Hampshire, he seemed close to being back at full strength and having a shot at the dream of becoming a major league pitcher.

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That dream was derailed on Thursday afternoon when he had an MRI done on his right elbow after feeling pain in his last several outings.

By Friday afternoon, Borrell’s season and career were in question after an MRI, in combination with an X-ray also performed on Thursday, revealed what was described as a large bone spur and a partial tear of the UCL ligament in his left elbow.

Borrell will be re-evaluated on Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. A somber Borrell seemed to be alternating between contentment and anguish as he spoke with reporters at Waterfront Park on Friday before Trenton’s game with the Binghamton Mets.

“It’s been my dream [pitching in the Major Leagues] since I was five and to know how close I came before getting injured in 200...it takes a toll. Physically, I’m fine, physical pain isn’t the problem, it’s the emotional pain associated with rehab and whether I want to go through twelve months of rehab,” said Borrell.

Borrell said the pain started four or five starts ago, and can even recall one particular pitch where he felt something had gone awry.

“A curveball in Binghamton [is when it started],” said Borrell.

Borrell thought nothing of his pain as he pitched the eight shutout innings in his start after the Binghamton outing, and even threw a bullpen with Trenton pitching coach Dave Eiland later on Thursday afternoon, after having the MRI.

“I threw my side yesterday after my MRI with Dave because pitching with pain is no big deal and I was going to pitch Saturday until the doctors saw the MRI results, [and noticed the tear]” said Borrell.

Borrell admits to having some concerns outside of baseball to consider as he grapples with the decision of whether or not to give up on his Major League dream. His wife is carrying the couple’s first child and that could be a significant factor in Borrell’s decision.

One of the class acts in baseball, Borrell faces a decision that will place his dream of becoming a Major Leaguer against the physical limitations presented by his second arm surgery in three seasons. He will contemplate this decision thoughtfully, and hopefully he decides to give his dream a third chance to succeed. It just might be the charm.

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