Joel Zumaya Mulling Retirement After Latest Injury
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Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images(FORT MYERS, Fla.) — Another season, another injury for talented relief pitcher Joel Zumaya. Zumaya, who signed with the Minnesota Twins in the offseason, will miss the entire season with a damaged elbow.
Zumaya, who spent his first five seasons with the Detroit Tigers, has been on the disabled list eight times now during his career. He’s missed significant time over the years (including all of last season) dealing with various shoulder and elbow problems along with a ruptured tendon in his finger back in 2007. Zumaya’s latest setback has caused him to consider retiring from the game of baseball.
“I know I’m pretty young, but I’m going to go on six surgeries if I go get another one. I’m only 27 years old,” Zumaya said. “I’ve taken a lot of wear and tear on my body, especially my arm, and then rehab, and it just mentally takes a lot out of you.”
After appearing in 61 games during his rookie season in 2006, Zumaya has appeared in over 30 games just once since then. Back in 2010, Zumaya appeared in 31 games while registering a 2.58 ERA in 38.1 innings pitched.
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