However, injuries have limited Prior in recent years and now once again Prior is going to have a date with a knife. Prior, who is currently a member of the San Diego Padres, is schedule to have shoulder surgery to fix the anterior capsule. It’s unknown at this point how long Prior will be out. He’s at least out for the rest of the regular season, but there’s a chance that this could be a career-ending injury.

Prior hasn’t been able to pitch since 2006 with the Chicago Cubs. His best season came in 2003. In his second year in baseball, Prior was 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA. He had 245 strikeouts in 211.1 innings, to go along with only 50 walks.

If Prior is going to make another comeback, expect it to be with the Padres. Prior was born in San Diego and still makes it his home.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Last year the Padres brought in Greg Maddux and David Wells. One of those worked out real well, the other not so much. This year it’s Randy Wolf and Mark Prior. The situation is a little different, though, because Maddux basically never misses a start, while Wolf hasn’t made as many as 20 since 2004. As for Prior, my advice is not to think about him at all and hope for a pleasant surprise later in the season. Realistically we’re looking at guys like Shawn Estes, Justin Germano, and Glendon Rusch for that fifth spot. The fact that these aren’t exciting options wouldn’t be a problem except that the rest of the rotation isn’t as good as some people seem to think it is.

Head on over to Hardball Times to read the rest…

Post from: Knuckle Curve