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After what Clint Hurdle described as a "hard meeting" with Wandy Rodriguez, this morning the Pirates have decided to shut down the left-hander for the rest of the season. Hurdle said that Rodriguez was throwing with persistent "pain and discomfort" and that he was not sure whether surgery would be required.
Hurdle's full remarks:
We had Wandy in here with Neal, myself, Todd Tomcyzk and Kiyoshi Momose (translator), just to make sure nothing was lost in translation. It was a hard meeting. We're going to shut Wandy down for his benefit, for our benefit.
He's put so much into this. He's worked so very hard to try to get in a position to pitch. Because of want to help the team. But he continues to pitch with pain and discomfort. And, so, we're going to turn our focus to 2014.
On whether Dr. James Andrews recommended rest to help Rodriguez heal:
I didn't talk to Dr. Andrews. If you have any questions.about what Andrews said Todd Tomcyzk would be the one to talk to. Todd factored that information in (Andrews' report) and Wandy talked to him (Tomcyzk), Wandy talked to his agent. Wandy spent the night in reflection last night, thinking about different things. We all got together today.
On whether Rodriguez might be a candidate for surgery:
Absolutely not sure whatsoever.
On whether Rodriguez's player option played a role in the decision:
The only thing that factored into it was Wandy's health.
Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington released the following statement:
The Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to shut down Wandy Rodriguez due to continuing pain and discomfort in his left forearm. Wandy has worked diligently to return to action but despite all Wandy’s and our medical staffs’ work and efforts, he has not been able to return to pitch without pain. We have decided that it is in Wandy’s best interests and the Pirates’ best interests to allow more time for the injury to the flexor tendon in his left forearm to heal and to shift our focus from a return in 2013 to having Wandy ready for Opening Day 2014.