On May 8 last year, Oakland Athletics’ starter Jarrod Parker suffered a fractured medial epicondyle in his right elbow during a rehab start with Triple-A Nashville. The injury ended his season, and considering it followed two Tommy John surgeries on that same elbow, the question arose as to whether or not the injury would force a premature end to his career. On Thursday, Parker re-injured that same elbow while throwing to live batters for the first time this Spring.
At the time, Thursday’s injury didn’t seem as bad as last May’s, even to those who observed it. Athletics’ trainer Nick Paparesta told reporter John Hickey:
“I think you’ve all seen that video from Nashville last year.