This time it is Ervin Santana of the Angels instead of Johan Santana that is going to rest his sore elbow. According to MLB.com, an MRI revealed that a sprained medial collateral ligament is the cause of the discomfort. He has been shut down for now in hopes of it heeling on its own. However, this will likely set him back enough to cause him to open the regular season the DL.

The medial collateral ligament is the ligament involved in the well known "Tommy John Surgery." This is what the Angels do not want. Santana was even quoted as saying, "I thought it could be worse. I thought maybe I'd need surgery. I'll start playing catch next week." It was a relief to Santana knowing that it was sprained and not torn. When you tear this ligament is when "Tommy John Surgery" is required which usually causes a pitcher to be out a minimum of a year before they are back 100%.

Doctors refer to the "Tommy John Surgery" as a ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. The ulnar collateral ligament is also known as the medial collateral ligament. You can find out more about this surgery in pitchers by reading Maury Brown's article, "Elbow Ligament Reconstruction Appears Not to Affect Future Pro Advancement in Baseball," in the "Injury Reports" section.

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