Los Angeles Angels starters stem cell exams mixed.

The Los Angeles Angels pitching staff has been decimated by injuries this season.  None more prominent then the injuries to Garrett Richards and Andrew Heaney.  Both pitchers have issues with their ulnar collateral ligament  in their pitching elbow that may require Tommy John Surgery.

For Los Angeles Angels starters Andrew Heaney and Garrett Richards, the hope of returning to the mound may look afar after both starters received mixed reports following ultrasound exams. However, Richards’ report came out more promising than Heaney’s  according to team reports.

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Both players received stem-cell treatment in Los Angeles in order to help repair an ulnar collateral ligament tear. The stem-cell treatment is said to repair ligaments faster than traditional surgery.

Both player’s injuries could eventually lead to Tommy John surgery, which will require a year of recovery. Could this stem-cell treatment be an alternative to Tommy John? In the long run, the recovery process will be quicker, however the main concern is that a player’s throwing arm wears out eventually after years of throwing 90 MPH fastballs, so will the stem-cell treatment just be another setback?

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LA Times reported that Angel’s GM Billy Eppler said that Richards tear showed “progressive healing”. Richards received his injection back in May, will be reevaluated in six weeks to assess his progress.

On the other hand, Heaney’s ultrasound didn’t fare as well as Richards. His elbow did not show “progressive healing” Eppler reported to LA Times.  Heaney will be reevaluated after the All-Star break. It is looking more and more likely that either Richards or Heaney will pitch again in 2016, especially with the team falling out of the race.

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Eppler also reported that he was “unworried” about the possible reality of both pitchers needing Tommy John, that will push them back to 2018 until their next start. The Angels hope that either one or both of their top starters will be ready come opening day in 2017, but they are also prepared for the worst case scenario.

CBSsports.com reported that the stem-cell treatment could be the start of a new thing in the MLB and could spread in popularity throughout the league over the next few seasons. More pitchers could possibly seek this route instead of taking the long route through Tommy John.

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The Angels will not rush either Heaney or Richards back as they are looking at the long-term effects doing so would have on their young arms.