9-News: 37.070 – San Fernando Bomb Finally Explodes

[RonCo]

Osaragi’s UCL Finally Gives Up the Ghost


Eyebrows around the league raised a couple seasons back when the Yellow Springs Nine acquired Hiroyasu Osaragi from the San Fernando Bears in exchange for Victor Guerra. The youthful righthander was one of the young pitchers in the Bears system who were collectively abused beyond all recognition Ernie Kinney, Germano Traado, Rhamat Subidao, and now Rafael Feliciano, have all succumbed to long stints on the DL from that period. The apparently rubber-armed Jon Reed had a bout with injury stints last year.

So the team’s more knowledgeable fans gave a little wince when the trade was announced.

Now, after making it through a successful 17-8 season last year, the timebomb that was Osaragi’s UCL has exploded, taking with it the last shreds of hope that probably shouldn’t have existed in the Yellow Springs 2037 campaign.

“He’s clearly done,” said assistant general manger Phillip Watson when the team announced Oasaragi would be placed on the 60-day disabled list. “We’re already scheduling the procedure.” No timetable has been announced, but the medical report suggested the pitcher may not be available until 2039. Don’t cry too much for the 24-year-old, though, as the recovery period will give him time to count the $4.25M the Nine will owe him from the 1-season extension they signed prior to this season.

“Hiroyasu’s loss hurts,” Richards said, keeping a stiff upper lip over the news. “But we’ve just got to focus on the next man up.”