WHIV 2045.20- Once Promising Hurler Calls It Quits

[recte44]

WHIV 2045.20- Once Promising Hurler Calls It Quits



In 2039, the Las Vegas Hustlers made right-handed pitcher Elias Gregory their second round pick. After a solid three year high school run with Berkshire Hathaway, the hopes were high for Gregory. His 6/7/8 potentials at the time were extremely promising.

It was not yet known if the Hustlers would use Gregory in a starting or relieving role. There was some concern that he might be an injury risk given the UCL injury from his junior year of high school.

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05/07/2038 Injured (Torn UCL), out for 9 months.
11/06/2038 Suffered setback in recovery from injury, will miss another 4-5 months.

2039 was a great year for Gregory in his first year with the Hustlers organization. He saved twenty games for Roswell (R) and then was named to the Tampa Fall League team which ultimately won the 2039 Elite Cup.

In 2040 Gregory was used as a starting pitcher. After a solid performance with Pahrump (A), he was again named to the Fall League and was dominant. He made it through the season with just the normal day to day injuries a player gets just by playing the game.

In 2041 he moved up another notch to Reno (AA). In 26 games, all starts, he posted a 7.74 ERA. Then, sent back to Tampa once again he was used in relief and somehow managed to pitch in 20 games. "This may have been where we went wrong," GM Matt Rectenwald said.

So the decision was made to switch Gregory to a relief role starting in 2042. He started at Reno, because of his struggles there last year. He did well and was promoted quickly to MIlwaukee (AAA) where he pitched well enough to make the RHML All-Star team, and ultimately made it to Vegas for a cup of coffee.

But there were early indications of troubles to come...

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06/23/2042 Injured (Strained shoulder), out for 4-5 weeks.

The wheels came off in 2043. He couldn't get anyone out, with a 8.05 ERA for Milwaukee (AAA) and then the other shoe dropped:

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05/03/2043 Injured (Torn labrum (Shoulder)), out for 8 months.

In 2044, after pitching just one game for Milwaukee and 1 game for Las Vegas, disaster struck again:

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05/05/2044 Injured (Partially torn UCL), out for 11 months.

Las Vegas promised to treat Gregory with kid gloves in 2045. It didn't work. After just two appearances for Milwaukee, he was hit with the injury that would be the last straw:

Off Topic

06/15/2045 Injured (Torn labrum (Shoulder)), career-ending injury!

Not many players make it back from two UCL's. Not many make it back from two torn labrums. I can't think of a single one who has come back from both two UCL's AND two torn labrums.

So, Elias Gregory has moved on from baseball. We wish him well.

[RonCo]

It happens.

[njherdfan]

Injuries suck, especially when they force players to retire.

[HoosierVic]

Well, hell. That sucks.

[recte44]

I seem to collect these guys.

[HerbD]

that's rough, especially for such a high pick

[recte44]

That’s just part of the game

[7teen]

Not sure which is worse, or if it matters.... having the guy just collect sustained injuries and then finally call it quits. Or suffer one an decide "nope, I'm done"