Twins Release Zumaya With Elbow Surgery Up Next
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have released injured right-hander Joel Zumaya.
The move was made on Wednesday to open another spot on the 40-man roster. Zumaya was trying to revive his career after missing the entire 2011 season because of elbow problems.
But the hard-throwing reliever hurt the joint again during his first bullpen session of spring training with his new team, tearing the ulnar collateral ligament.
Zumaya was scheduled for Tommy John surgery on Thursday and will need a year to recover.
After a standout rookie year with the Detroit Tigers in 2006, Zumaya has not been able to pitch more than 39 innings in any season since because of arm injuries.
He signed a one-year contract with the Twins for $400,000 guaranteed.
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